COLLEGIUM 
BOSTONIENSE 


E.J.  BREHAUT 
BOSTONIANA  COLLECTION 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Boston  Library  Consortium  IVIember  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/historyofintroduOObrad 


HISTORY 


INTRODUCTION  OF  PURE  WATER 


CITY    OF    BOSTON, 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ITS  COCHITUATE  WATER  WORKS. 


rLLtrSTRATED  BY  MAPS  AND  PLANS. 


COMPILED  BY  A  MEMBER  OF  THE  WATER  BOARD. 


BOSTON,    MASS.: 
ALFEED    MUDGE    &    SON",    CITY   PEIKTEES,   34    SCHOOL    STEEET. 

1868. 


CITY    OF    BOSTON, 


D  Office,  | 
1,  1868.        ( 

At  a  meeting  held  this  day,  it  was 


CocHiTUATE  "Water  Board  Office, 
City  Hall,  January  28th, 


Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Board  be  tendered  to  their  respected  associate,  Nathaniel 
J.  Bradlee,  Esquire,  for  his  faithful,  clear  and  interesting  History  of  the  great  enterprise 
of  rxTRODUCENa  PURE  Water  INTO  OUR  CiTY,  With  a  description  of  the  Works. 

Per  order. 

JOHN  H.  THORNDHCE, 

President. 
S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk. 


///  9^.C 


PREFACE. 


Having  occasion  to  seek  for  myself  information  on  some  subjects  connected 
with  the  Water  Works  of  this  City,  my  researches  showed  me  that  the  facts 
relating  to  them  were  scattered  in  various  records  and  places. 

The  means  of  collecting  those  necessary  facts  and  documents  are  becoming 
more  diflOicult  every  year ;  and  all  persons  officially  or  generally  interested  in 
the  subject  must  continually  feel  the  necessity  of  having  them  together  and 
accessible. 

Such  were  the  motives  for  the  compilation.  In  preparing  these  Annals,  an 
arrangement  was  adopted  that  admits  of  their  being  carried  on  by  additions  or 
supplements  from  year  to  year :  and  it  was  thought  best  to  commence  with  an 
account  of  the  early  proceedings  of  the  citizens  on  the  subject  of  the  introduc- 
tion of  Pure  Water  into  the  City,  which  finally  resulted  in  the  Works ;  so  that 
in  future  years,  the  citizens  might  know  what  difficulties  and  obstacles  had  to  be 
encountered,  before  this  noble  enterprise  could  be  carried  into  execution. 

Even  at  the  present  time,  many  have  forgotten  the  great  excitement  and  party 
feeling  on  this  subject,  and  the  various  projects  that  were  brought  forward  from 
time  to  time,  between  the  year  1825  and  the  year  1846,  when  the  works  were 
commenced. 

In  order  that  the  account  should  be  as  correct  as  possible,  it  has  been  compiled 
from  the  Records  of  the  City  Government,  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  and  from 
documents  in  the  possession  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board.  Every  action  on 
this  subject  taken  by  the  City  Council  and  citizens,  so  far  as  known,  is  mentioned ; 
extracts  are  given  from  all  Reports  that  were  deemed  of  interest,  and  all  Orders 
and  Resolves  are  given  in  full. 

In  reviewing  the  past  history  of  the  introduction  of  water  into  the  City,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  Long  Pond  is  the  present  Lake  Cochituate,  the 
iiame  having  been  changed  after  its  purchase  by  the  City. 

A  Member  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board. 

Boston,  January  1st,  1868. 


CONTENTS. 


PART    FIRST. 

Proceedings  of  the  City  Government  and  Citizens  on  the  subject  of  the  Introduction 
of  Water  into  Boston,  from  A.  D.  1652,  to  1850. 


Chapter 

Chap. 

Chap. 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 

1652  to  1832    . 
1832  to  1837    . 
1837 

.     Page    1 
"      9 
"     20 

to  8 
to  19 
to    26 

Chap. 

1838 

"     27 

to    37 

Chap. 
Chap. 

1839  to  1845     . 
1845 

"     38 
"     48 

to  47 
to    55 

Chap. 

1846 

"     66 

to    66 

Chap. 

1847 

"67 

to    71 

Chap. 

1848 

"72 

to    82 

Chap. 

1849 

.        .        "83 

to    91 

PART    SECOND. 

Proceedings  of  the  Water  Commissioners  during  the  Construction  of  the  Worhs; 
from  May  Uh,  1846,  to  January  1st,  1850. 

Chapter  11.  1846 Page   95  to  103 

Chap.       12.  1847 "     104  to  108 

Chap.       13.  1848 .        .        .  "     109  to  113 

Chap.       14.  1849  .        .        .        . "     114  to  125 


PART    THIRD. 

Proceedings  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  from  its  first  organization,  January  2d, 

1851,  to  January  Isf,  1868. 


Chapter  15. 


Chap. 
Chap. 
Chap. 
Chap. 
Chap. 
Chap. 


16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 


1850 
1851 

1852  to  1855 
1855  to  1858 
1858  to  1861 
1861  to  1864 
1864  to  1866 


Page  125  to  136 

"  137  to  146 

"  147  to  172 

"  173  to  181 

"  182  to  196 

"  197  to  202 

"  203  to  231 


VI 

PART    FOURTH. 

Description  of  Boston  Cochituate  Water  WorJcs  up  to  January  1st,  1868.  ' 

^°^^^^" Page  235  to  248 

^"-^-       -^ "     249  to  256 

^"-^^-       -^ "     257  to  267 

^^^^^^^^ Page  271  to  298 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTEATIONS. 


No.    1. 
"      2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 


Frontispiece  —  View  of  Lake  Cochituate. 
Map  of  the  Country  and  of  the  Course  of  the  Aque- 
duct AND  ITS  Supplies, Fronting  page    64 


Eepresentations  of  Accretions  on  Iron  Pipes 

Map  of  Laiqe  Cochituate 

Map  of  Dug  Pond 

Map  of  Dudley  Pond 

Plan  and  Section  of  Aqueduct  over  Charles  River     . 

Plan  of  Brookline  Reservoir 

Plan  and  Section  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  in  Boston 
Plan  and  Section  of  South  Boston  Reservoir 
Plan  and  Section  of  East  Boston  Reservoir  . 

Plan  of  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir 

Section  of  Gate  House  at    "  "  .        . 

Perspective  View  op  "  '*  .        . 

Plan  of  Pipe  Chamber  "  "  .       . 


159 
236 
239 
240 
242 
250 
252 
253 
254 
255 
255 
256 
256 


LIST   OF  TABLES. 


No. 

1. 

(( 

2, 

(( 

3. 

(( 

4. 

Annual  amount  of  Eain  Fall  in  inches  at  Lake  Cochituate,  Boston  and 

Vicinity,  1849  to  1867,  inclusive Page  274 

Amount  of  Rain  Fall  on  Water-shed  of  Lake  Cochituate ;   of  Water 

consumed  and  wasted ;    available  amount  received  into  the  Lake ; 

available  percentage  of  Eain  Fall,  1852  to  1867,  inclusive    ..."     275 

Capacity  of  Lake  Cochituate  at  different  levels "     276 

Monthly  and  yearly  heights  of  Water  in  Lake  above  bottom  of  the 

Aqueduct "     278 

5.  Amount  of  Water  which  flowed  away  over  the  dam  at  the  Lake  during 

the  year  1867  . "     279 

6.  Distances  between  different  points  of  the  Water  Works         ..."     279 

7.  Heights  of  Important  Points  above  Tide  Marsh  Level    .        .        .        .      "     280 

8.  Levels  of  Door  Sills,  by  which  can  be  ascertained  the  heights  to  which 

the  Water  will  rise  at  any  given  site  in  the  City "     281 

9.  Average  monthly  Heights  of  Water  in  the  Reservoirs  at  Brookline, 

Beacon  Hill,  South  and  East  Boston,  respectively,  1862  to  1867,  in- 
clusive      "     287 

10.  Length  of  different  sizes   of  Pipe  laid ;  and  number  of  Stopcocks  put 

in,  to  January  1st,  1868 "     288 

11.  Number  of  Leaks,  1850  to  1867,  and  proportion  of  different  kinds  .       "     289 

12.  Number  and  kind  of  Water  Fixtures,  1864  to  1867,  inclusive  ..."     290 

13.  Total  number  of  Fire  Hydrants,  up  to  January  1st,  1868         ..."     291 

14.  Number  of  Houses,  Stores,  etc.,  supplied  with  Water  to  January  1st, 

1868,  and  Rates  paid  respectively  for  1867 "     291 

15.  Amount  of  Water  consumed  each  hour  in  certain  days  in  1867       .        .       "     293 

16.  Consumption  of  Water,  daily  average  in  gallons  drawn  from  Brookline 

Reservoir,  1858  to  1868,  inclusive "294 

17.  Table  of  Water  Rates,  1868 "296 

18.  Yearly  Revenue  from  Water,  1848  to  1868 "298 


ALPHABETICAL   INDEX. 


Appendix,  271. 

Artesian  Wells,  10. 

Accounts,  time  of  making,  214,  228. 

Appropriations  made  for  Surveys,  etc.,  13,  17,  21. 
"  "      "    Construction,  184. 

Act  passed  and  rejected,  50,  191. 

Acceptance  of  the  Act  to  establish  "Water  Works,  as  passed,  57. 

Accident  at  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  103;  Newton  Tunnel,  111 ;  Aqueduct  at  Needham, 
187. 

Agreement  with  Selectmen  of  Brookline,  110 ;  Towns  of  Framingham,  Natick  and  Way- 
land,  182. 

Agreement  with  Newton  Aqueduct  Company,  130,  145. 

Approval  of  Bills,  ordinance  for,  222. 

Annexation  of  Roxbury,  224. 

Amount  paid  by  Commissioners,  121. 

Annual  Reports  of  Water  Board,  change  of  time  in  making,  214,  228. 

Accretions  in  the  Pipes,  Reports  on,  149,  165,  183,  220. 

Attempt  to  abolish  the  Water  Board,  174. 

Alger,  C.  and  others,  inquiries  as  to  Spot  Pond,  3. 

Analysis  of  Water  by  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  12 ;  Dr.  A.  A.  Hayes,  23 ;  Dr.  B.  Silliman,  Jr.,  65. 

Austin,  J.  T.,  communication  of  English  Statistics  on  supply  of  Water,  29. 

Brewer,  Gardner,  Gift  of  Fountain  for  the  Common,  228. 

Bituminous  Coating  for  Pipes,  157,  271,  220. 

Bates,  J.  D.,  Gift  of  Fountain  for  the  Public  Garden,  263. 

Bradlee,  N.  J.,  vote  of  thanks  to,  II. 

Baldwin,  Col.  Loammi,  Report,  10. 

"       James  F.,  communication,  24;  reply,  39. 

Boston  and  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation,  2,  18. 
"      Hydraulic  Company,  13. 

Brick  Conduit,  cracks  in,  110;  change  of  location  at  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  219 ;  descrip- 
tion of,  240. 

Brookline  Reservoir  and' Land,  107. 

"  '«        new  Main  from,  178,  184. 

"  "        description  of,  250;  map  of,  opposite,  250;  Gate  Houses,  251. 

««  "        Water  let  into,  113. 


Xll 

Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  Land,  95,  100,  lOG. 

"  "  Corner-stouo  laid,  103. 

"  "         Description  of,  252 ;  Plan  and  Elevation,  opposite,  252. 

"  "  Water  let  into,  117. 

"  "         Lantern  on,  130. 

'<  "  Gates  to  Arches,  1-19. 

Boon  Pond,  purchased,  109,  254. 

Board,  Water,  established,  89 ;  First  Election  of,  91 ;  movement  to  abolish,  174 ;  of  Com- 
missioners, lis. 

BarstOTV,  W.  C,  ofler  to  carry  Pipe  to  East  Boston,  110. 

Boats  on  the  Lake,  129. 

Bridge  for  Mains  over  Railroad  at  Tremont  Street,  229 ;  over  Charles  River,  242. 

Brackett  Place,  damages  to,  129. 

Bad  Taste  to  the  Water,  complaints  of,  144,  171, 174. 

Boston  Sugar  Refinery,  173. 

Breach  in  the  Aqueduct  at  Needham,  187. 

Black  Bass  put  in  the  Lake  and  Brookline  Reservoir,  199. 

Broad  Brook,  right  purchased,  204. 

Blow-oflfs,  149,  258. 

Beacon  Street,  Location  changed,  210. 

Brookline  Taxes,  214;  roads,  110. 

Cochituate  Lake,  description,  235 ;  Map  of,  opposite  236. 

Charles  River  supply,  52 ;  Mains  and  Bridge  over  and  Pipe  chamber,  242 ;  Map  of  them, 
opposite  242. 

Charles  River  Aqueduct  Company,  44. 

City  Engineers  in  charge  of  the  Works,  271. 

City  Committee,  Report  of,  1825,  p.  3 ;  1834,  p.  12 ;  1836,  p.  16 ;  1836,  p.  19. 

Corrosion  of  pipes,  149,  165,  183. 

Charitable  purposes,  Water  for,  136. 

City  Government  of  Boston,  first  action  to  supply  Water,  and  Report  of  Committee,  3. 

Civil  Organization  of  the  Water  Works,  271. 

Communication  of  James  T.  Baldwin,  25. 
"  R.  H.  Eddy,  33. 
"  from  Water  Commissioners,  65. 

Conduit,  ancient,  1. 

"       contracts  for  building,  105. 

"      foundation  for,  131 ;  change  of  at  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  219;  description,  240; 
plan  and  section  of  part,  242. 

Crocker,  Charles,  memorial.  41. 

Commissioners,  appointed  first,  4;  Rep.  4,  21;  Rep.  21,  37;  Rep.  44;  under  the  Act,  64; 
Rep.  68 ;  Rep.  on  material  for  pipes,  73 ;  East  Boston,  73,  81,  85, 86 ;  discontinued,  89 ; 
Rep.  99. 

Compensating  Reservoirs,  71,  103,  109,  184,  254,  194. 

Contracts  awarded,  125,  126,  127,  184. 

Ceremony  of  the  Eirst  Breaking  of  the  Ground,  97. 

Change  of  route  and  location  of  Reservoir,  219. 

Charlestown  Cisterns,  petition  to  fill,  196. 

Consulting  Engineer,  engaged,  95,  271. 


Xlll 

Contracts  for  Masonry,  105. 
"  "  Excavation,  128. 

"  "  Iron  Pipes,  original,  100. 

"  "  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  100,  101. 

"  "  Conduit,  105. 

"  "  Meters,  127. 

Culverts  and  Drains,  244. 

Chelsea  Creek  Pipe,  129,  144. 

Cracks  in  the  Conduit,  110. 

Conduit  finished,  111. 

"      Water  let  into,  111 ;  breach  in  at  Needham,  187. 

Claims  for  Damages,  190,  192,  200,  202;  for  leaks,  213;  Gas  Co.,  218. 

"     of  the  Meadow  owners,  193;  Brookline,  110;  Newton,  118;  Lake,  170. 

Cost  of  the  Works,  266. 

Corner-stone  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  laid,  103. 

Celebration  on  the  Introduction  of  the  Water,  77. 

Commissioners'  term  of  oflSce  extended,  85 ;  Title,  85. 

Consumption  of  Water,  see  Table  No.  16,  Appendix. 

Cochituate  Water  Board,  89,  272. 

City  Solicitor's  opinion.  Water  for  charitable  purposes,  136. 
"  "         reply  to  questions  submitted,  81,  215,  219. 

Construction  account  closed,  141. 

Change  of  pipe  on  Tremont  Street,  214. 

Copies  of  Deeds,  96. 

Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  200,  201,  205,  206 ;  act  for,  208 ;  commencement  of,  209 ;  con- 
struction committee,  210,  219;  driveway,  222;  Land  for,  210;  committee  on,  210, 
211;  restrictions,  211,  222,  223,  230;  description,  255;  plan  and  section,  opposite  255; 
section  of  Gate-House,  255. 

Chesbrough,  E.  S.,  elected  Chief  Engineer  of  Western  Division,  96. 

Distributing  Reservoirs,  252 

Documents  circulated,  47,  50. 

Divisions  of  the  Conduit,  101. 

"  "      Engineers  on,  271. 

Damages  settled ;  Brookline,  110;  Newton,  118,  130;  Lake  Cochituate,  170,  190,  192;  Sud- 
bury meadow  owners,  193;  Gas  Co.,  218. 

Death  of  Nath'l  Chamberlain,  superintendent  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  109. 
"    John  H.  Wilkins,  first  President  of  the  Water  Board,  196. 
"    Edward  E.  Knowlton,  superintendent  of  the  Western  Division,  220. 

Difficulty  in  building  the  Conduit,  110. 

Drinking  Fonts,  128,  183,  229,  265. 

Deer  Island,  water  to,  142,  149. 

Dover  Street  Bridge,  new  pipe  laid,  183. 

Dudley  Pond,  200 ;  connected  with  the  Lake,  198,  199 ;  damages  settled,  200 ;  do.  202 ; 
heights,  218 ;  description  of,  239 ;  Map  of,  opposite  240. 

Dug  Pond,  90,  127;  heights,  218;  description  and  Map,  239. 

Dams  at  Lake  raised,  184 ;  lower  one,  198 ;  description  of,  237. 

Deeds,  copies  of,  96,  204. 

Drains  and  culverts,  244. 


XIV 

Distributing  Pipes,  259. 

Driveway  at  Chcstuut  Hill  Reservoir,  222. 

Discharge  of  Water  at  tlie  Fountains,  2G1,  265. 

Eddy,  Robert  H.,  Report,  183G,  p.  14 ;  communication,  33. 
Elliot,  Mayor,  letter  to  Messrs;.  Treadwell  &  Hale,  25. 
Estimates  of  Commissioners,  23 ;  revised,  27. 
East  Boston,  Water  to,  70,  73,  84,  8G,  110,  115. 

"        "        Temporary  Pipe  to,  117,  145. 

"        "        Reservoir,  117;  description  of,  254;  plan,  opposite  254. 

"        "        Main  Pipe,  198. 

"        "        Engineer's  estimates  of  cost,  84,  85,  89. 

"        "        Water  let  into  Reservoir,  137. 

"        "        Leak  in  Reservoir,  145. 
Election  of  Engineers,  95,  96. 

Engineers,  on  the  several  Divisions,  96,  271 ;  in  charge,  271 ;  consulting,  271. 
Estates  purchased  of  W.  H.  Knight,  101. 

Election  of  Water  Board,  1850  to  1867,  see  the  beginning  of  each  year ;  also,  272. 
"     Superintendents,  221,  1850  to  1867. 

"    Water  Registrar,  1850  to  1867,  see  beginning  of  each  year. 
"    Clerks  "         "  "  "  "  " 

Extension  of  the  Water  Works  to  Roxbury  considered,  147,  255. 
Engineer's  Report  on  Levels  at  Lake,  218. 
Ether  Monument  Fountain,  263. 

Framingham,  agreement  to  raise  Lake  Cochituate,  182. 
Flint,  Dr.  J.  B.,  Resolutions  at  Public  Meeting,  1836,  p.  17. 
First  Action  of  the  City  Government,  3. 

"     Commissioners  chosen,  21. 

"     Survey  made,  4,  97. 

"     Appropriation  made,  13. 

"     Standing  Committee  on  Water  chosen,  20. 

"     Application  to  the  Legislature,  9. 

"     Vote  of  the  citizens  on  the  Introduction  of  Water,  17. 

"     Ground  broken,  65,  97. 

"     Contract  made,  99. 

"     Water  Board  chosen,  89 ;  Cochituate  Water  Board,  137. 
Factories  burned,  105. 
Faneuil  Hall  Meeting,  17,  43,  46. 
Fractures  in  the  Iron  Pipes,  113. 

Fountains,  on  the  Common,  111,  228 ;  Public  Fountains,  enumeration  of,  261. 
"         Playing  of,  129,  141,  142,  214. 
"         in  the  State  House  Yard,  84. 
"         Lowell  Square,  141. 
"         Free  use  of  Water  for,  119,  144,  148,  195. 
"         Drinking,  128,  183,  229. 
Farm  Pond,  offer  to  sell  to  the  city,  194. 
Free  Water,  127,  136,  175,  195,  196. 
Fire  Department,  reorganized,  140. 
Flume,  Knight's,  height  of,  218. 
Freshet,  229. 


XV 

Gas  Light  Co.,  Boston,  claims,  218. 

Grove  for  Picnics,  129. 

Ground  first  broken,  65. 

Gratuitous  supply  of  Water,  127,  136,  175,  196. 

Gates  to  the  arches  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  149. 

Gate  House  at  Lake,  238 ;  Plan  and  Section,  opposite  242. 

"        "        Brookline  Reservoir,  25L 
Gates  to  Main  Pipes,  242. 

Hopkinton  Reservoir,  sold,  194. 

Huse's  Meters,  141. 

Hotels,  supply  of  water,  206,  207. 

Hale  &  TreadweU,  Messrs.,  Reply  to  Mr.  Baldwin,  25. 

Hale,  Nathan,  objection  to  enlarging  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  107;  address  at  Introduction 

of  Water  to  City,  112. 
Height  of  water  in  Lake  Cochituate,  see  Tables,  Appendix. 
"  "  Dudley  Pond,  218. 

"  "  Dug  Pond,  218. 

Hydraulic  Engine,  Water  for,  130. 
High  Service,  supply  of,  146,  166. 
Hopper  closets,  vote  against,  198. 
Hearing  before  the  Legislature,  39. 
Hose,  206. 

Hughes'  Meters,  127. 
Hydrants,  drinking,  128,  149 ;  Power  to  open,  201 ;  in  Mains,  258 ;  Fire  Hydrants,  where 

located,  see  Table,  Appendix. 
Horsford,  Prof.  Reports  on  accretions  in  pipes,  159. 

Introduction  of  water,  celebration  of,  77. 

Insurance  of  Buildings  by  the  city,  127, 175. 

Inspectors  appointed,  169,  205 ;  Results,  223,  229. 

Inscriptions  on  the  Tablets,  245. 

Iron  Pipes,  first  contract  for,  100;  laying  commenced,  106. 

Iron  Bridge  at  Worcester  Railroad  Crossing,  228. 

Jamaica  Pond,  description  of,  255. 

Jamaica  Pond,  Aqueduct,  2,  18,  28,  65,  81,  138,  147;  Roxbury,  application  for,  149;  as  to 

supplying  part  of  Boston,  176. 
Johnson,  E.,  vote  of  thanks  to,  208. 
Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  purchase  of,  138 ;  ordinance  for,  140. 

"         "  "  sale  of,  offers  for,  170,  176. 

Jones,  E.  R.,  Election  of,  200. 

Jervis,  John  B.,  engaged  as  consulting  engineer,  95;  continued,  110;  resigned,  114. 
Jets,  of  the  Public  Fountaias,  261. 

Knowlton,  Edward  F.,  Death  of,  220;  resolve  upon,  221 ;  Island  named  for,  221. 
Knight,  Wm.  H.,  property  bought,  101 ;  height  of  Flume,  218. 

Long  Pond,  42 ;  supply,  53,  54,  63,  65 ;  name  changed,  65,  96. 
Legislature,  application  to,  9,  3.6,  39,  48,  57,  104,  183,  184,  197. 

"         Resolve  of,  40. 

"  Acts   of,  1,  2,  3,  13,  50,  57,  86,  177,  189,  191,  197,  204,  208. 


XVI 

Lake  Cochituate  (Long  Pond)  ;  name  adopted,  G5 ;  agreement  to  raise,  182 ;   dam  raised, 

IS-t;  act  to  raise,  189,  190;  bounds  of,  195;  heights,  218;  description  of,  235. 
Lantern  on  Beacon  Ilill  Reservoir,  130. 
Lowell  Square  Fountain,  HI. 
Lake  raised  two  feet,  190. 
Lower  Dam  raised,  198 ;  description  of,  237. 
Leak  in  East  Boston  Reservoir,  145. 
Library  for  the  Water  Board,  227. 
Lawrence  Meadow,  211 ;  course  of  Conduit,  219. 
Land  purchased,  132,  171,  230. 
Land  purchased  for  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  95,  105,  106. 

"  "         "   Brookline  Reservoir,  107. 

"  "         "    South  Boston  Reservoir,  111,  115. 

"  "         "   East  Boston  Reservoir,  117. 

"  "         "  Chestnut  HUl  Reservoir,  110. 

"  "         "  Conduit,  103. 

"  "         "  Cochituate  Lake,  103,  166 ;  general,  178,  218. 

Levels  of  Water,  107. 
Lee,  Thomas,  Gift  of  Public  Fountain,  263. 

Machine  Shop,  steam  engine  put  in  instead  of  an  hydraulic  one,  198. 
Mayor  Lyman's  communication,   1834,  p.    9. 

"      Quincy's      address,  1826,  p.    5. 

"      Otis'  "  1829,  p.    8. 

"     Eliot's  "  1838,  p.  27. 

"  "  "  1839,  p.  38. 

"     Chapman's        "  1840,  p.  41. 

"     Davis'  "  1845,  p.  49. 

"     Quincy,  Jr.'s     "  1846,  p.  66, 

"     Bigelow's  "  1849,  p.  83. 

"     Eliot's  letter  to  Messrs.  Treadwell  &  Hale,  25. 
Meetings  in  Faneuil  Hall,  43,  46. 

Memorial  of  Boston  and  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation,  18,  81. 
"         "  Charles  Crocker,  41. 
"        from  citizens,  65,  66. 
"        of  Joseph  W.  Coburn  and  others,  65. 
Main  Pipe  from  Brookline  Reservoir  to  Dover  Street,  184. 
Main  Pipes,  Route  of  36-inch,  242;   of  30-inch,  193,  202;  location,  219,  242;    of  40-inch, 

191,  193;  general  description  of  route,  257. 
Main  Pipes,  permission  to  lay,  204 ;  to  maintain,  204. 
Meridian  Street  Bridge,  Pipe  over,  198. 
Marlborough  Reservoir,  184. 
Marginal  Lauds  about  Lake  Cochituate,  238. 
Man  Holes,  244. 

Members  of  Water  Board,  Appendix,  272. 
Main  Pipe,  40-inch  laid,  191 ;  raised,  214. 

Mains  over  Charles  River  Valley,  third  of  36-inch,  177 ;  Elevation,  242. 
Meters,  127,  141,  184,  201;  power,  201,  20G,  213,  217,  230. 
Mains  connected  on  the  Common,  191,  193,  202,  257. 
c 


XVll 

Marginal  Lands,  103,  131. 
Mill-dam,  pipe  over,  204,  257. 
Mechanics,  security  for  payment  of,  63. 
Magnesium  Light  for  examining  Conduit,  229. 
Monument  on  Beacon  Hill,  history  of,  106. 

Natick,  agreement  to  raise  Lake  Cochituate,  182 ;  road  raised,  183. 

Name  of  Long  Pond  changed,  65. 

Number  and  length  of  Main  Pipe,  36  and  30-inch,  103,  149 ;  and  other  Pipes,  Table  10. 

Newton  Aqueduct  Company,  118,  130,  145;  description  of,  249;  property  of,  249;  agree- 
ment with  the  City,  250. 

Navy  Yard,  supply  of,  130,  198. 

New  Dam  at  the  Lake,  176,  184. 

New  Pipe  over  Dover  Street  Bridge,  103. 

Non-residents ;  rates  for  water,  170,  192. 

New  Main,  over  Charles  Eiver  Valley,  177,  from  Brookline  Reservoir,  178,  184,  191;  act 
for,  rejected,  191,  route,  191,  192. 

Odiorne  George  and  Thomas,  offer  to  supply  the  City  from  Spot  Pond,  7. 

"        James  C.  and  others.  Petition,  41. 
Otis,  Mayor,  Address,  8. 
Officers  of  the  Water  Board,  272. 
Offices  of  the  Water  Works,  201,  214,  271. 
Ordinance,  Water,  passed,  63,  81,  85,  134,  141,  169,  222. 

Public  Meeting,  1836,  p.  17 ;  1838,  pp.  36,  46. 

Picnics,  use  of  Grove  at  Lake  for,  129. 

Philadelphia  Water  Superintendent,  opinion  on  the  quantity  to  be  supplied,  7,  25. 

Plug-hole,  244. 

Proposition  of  George  and  Thomas  Odiorne,  7. 

Petition  of  James  C.  Odiorne  and  others,  41. 

"       Dr.  John  C.  Warren  and  others,  13. 

"       Thomas  A.  Dexter  and  others,  42. 

"      For  and  against  the  introduction  of  water,  29  to  33. 

"       Walter  Channing  and  others,  42. 

"       from  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Company,  42. 

"       Silas  P.  Barnes  and  others,  67,  69. 

"       C.  W.  Cartwright,  70. 

"       Holmes  and  others,  205. 
Purchase  of  Long  and  Dug  Ponds,  63. 
Pipes,  size  of,  103,  149;  location  and  map,  149;  in  unaccepted  streets,  205;  raised,  214; 

test  of,  228 ;  general  account,  257. 
Purchase  of  White  Hall  Pond,  100. 

"         the  Marlborough  Reservoir,  109. 

"         Bricks,  101. 
Protection  of  Water  Works,  act  for,  197. 

Pipes  over  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad  Bridge,  Tremont  Street,  72,  111. 
Pipes  over  Providence  Railroad,  223. 
Playing  of  the  Fountains,  129,  141,  142. 
Pipe  across  Chelsea  Creek,  129,  144 ;  description  of,  260. 


XVlll 

3?*ipe  over  the  Mill-dam,  act  for,  20i,  258. 

Pipes  on  T.  "Wharf,  148 ;  Waltham  Street,  30-iiich  chauged  to  36-inch  from  Waltham  Street 

to  Dover  Street,  196. 
Purchase  of  land  for  a  Pipe  Yard,  149. 

"         the  Frost  "Worthington  Meter,  184. 
Pipes  Distributing,  material  of,  73 ;  description  and  I'oute,  259. 
Pegan  Brook,  filtering  dam  at,  206. 
Permission  to  lay  Main  Pipe,  204. 
Publications  on  the  introduction  of  water,  47,  50. 
Property,  list  of,  purchased  from  W.  H.  Knight,  101 ;  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  140;  pipes, 

149. 
Pipes,  accretions  in,  149,  165,  183. 
Pipe  Chambers  and  Plan,  242. 

Eeport  of  Professor  Daniel  Tread  well,  4. 

"        Colonel  Loammi  Baldwin,  10. 

"        Kobert  H.  Eddy,  14. 

"        Messrs.  Treadwell,  Hale  and  Baldwin,  21. 

"  "        Jackson,  Hale  and  Baldwin,  12. 

"        Water  Commissioners,  45,  73,  99. 

"        Messrs.  Jervis  and  Johnson,  52. 

"  "        Jackson  and  Horsford,  on  bad  taste  of  the  water,  171. 

"  "        Chesbrough  and  Whitwell,  85. 

"        "Water  Board,  on  accretions  in  pipes,  149. 
Eevised  estimates  of  the  Commissioners,  37. 
Eesolutions  passed  by  the  City  Council,  40,  46,  55. 
Resident  Engineer,  appointed,  H.  M.  "Wightman,  220. 
Eooms  for  Commissioners  and  Water  Board,  201,  214,  217. 
Eamshorn  Pond,  109,  254. 
Eefundiug  money  once  paid,  214. 

Else  of  water  in  pipes  in  actual  practice,  experiments,  167. 
Eesignation  of  Water  Registrar,  174. 
Eesignatiou  of  members  of  the  Board,  J.  H.  Wilkins,  171,  196;  H.  B.  Rogers,  174;  T. 

Wetmore,  175 ;  M.  Brimmer,  204,  272. 
Resignation  of  Albert  Stanwood,  174,  200;  re-elected,  221. 

"  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  174. 

Removals  of  Water  Board  oflBce,  201,  214. 
Eight  to  open  Hydrants,  201. 
Raising  Main  Pipes  on  Tremont  Street,  72. 
Eeservoirs,  compensating,  71,  103,  109,  184,  194. 
Eaising  the  lake,  act  for,  189,  190. 
Eailroad  Bridge,  pipes  over,  72. 
Eates  for  water,  81,  130,  195,  207,  222. 

Eegulations  for  managing  the  Water  Works,  ordinance,  134;  Jamaica  Pond,  140,  169;  bills, 
222. 

Eegistrar  Water,  proposal  to  abolish  the  office,  221. 

Roxbury,  water  for,  147 ;  inquiries  of  Commissioners  for  annexing,  224 ;  reply  to  inqui- 
ries, 225. 


XIX 

standing  Committee  of  City  Council  on  "Water  first  appointed,  20 ;  powers,  20,  36 ;   of  the 

Board,  first  appointed,  176. 
Spot  Pond,  Water  from,  41,  60,  51,  52,  3,  7,  116. 

"        "     Aqueduct  Company,  41,  42. 
Surveys  made,  97. 

Sargent's,  L.  M.  reply  to  questions,  28. 
Service-Pipes,  material,  73;  Water  first  let  in,  112;  vote  limiting  each  buUding,  to  one  only, 

198;  use, 261. 
State  House  Yard,  Pountains  in,  84. 
Size  of  Mains,  111,  257. 

Supply  of  Water  for  Navy  Yard,  130,  175,  198. 
"      "        "        "  Fountain,  119,  195. 
"      "        "        "  Charitable  purposes,  136. 
"      "        "        "  Shipping,  127,  132,  148,  222. 
"      "        "        "  High  service,  146,  167. 
"      "        "        "  Non-residents,  170. 
"      "        "        "  Power  meters,  201. 
"      '*        "        "  Public  buildings,  168 ;  repealed,  170. 
"      "        "        "  Skating  Parks,  185,  195,  196. 
"      "        "        "  Through  meters,  194,  195,  206. 
Shutting  off"  Water  without  notice,  168. 
"        "        "      for  non-payment,  216. 
"        "        "        "  refusal  to  admit  Inspector,  215. 
Slade,  James,  elected  City  Engineer,  174. 
Stopcocks,  149,  168 ;  288. 
Settlement  of  Damages,  Lake  Cochituate. 
"  "  "         Dudley  Pond. 

"  "  "         Kaising  the  Lake. 

"  "  "         Sudbury  meadow  owners,  193. 

Sale  of  Land,  order  for,  70 ;  Brookline,  173. 
Stone  bounds  at  the  Lake,  195. 

Stanwood,  Albert,  resignation,  174;  vote  of  thanks  to,  200;  re-election,  221. 
Stable  built  in  the  Pipe  yard,  169. 
Shattuck,  L.,  resolution  in  Common  Council,  35. 
Spade  used  at  first  breaking  ground,  97,  98,  214. 
South  Boston  Eeservoir,  114,  253;  land  for,  115  :  description  of,  253;  plan,  253. 

"  "        route  of  Main  to,  103 ;  new  pipe,  183 ;  Water  first  let  into,  118. 

Supreme  Court,  decision  against  taxing  land  used  for  Water  Works,  174,  215. 
Skating  Parks,  Water  for,  185,  195,  196. 

Tables,  Appendix ;  see  List  in  Contents. 
Treadwell,  Professor  Daniel,  Eeport  of,  4. 
Treadwell,  Hale,  Messrs.  Eeply  to  Mr.  Baldwin,  25. 
Temporary  pipe  to  East  Boston,  117,  145. 

"  «     broken,  117. 

"  "     taken  up,  117,  145. 

Thorndike,  J.  H.,  President  of  Board's  letter  to  Commissioners  on  annexation  of  Eoxbury, 
225. 


XX 

Tunnels,  description  of,  243. 

"       Newtou,  commenced,  101,  243. 

"  "        finished.  111,  243. 

"        Brookliue,  commenced,  101,  104,  243. 

<«  "  finished,  111,  243. 

Third  Main  into  the  Citjs  204,  257. 
Tremont  Street,  Pipes  over,  72. 

Taxes  on  Real  Estate,  131 ;  decision  of  Supreme  Court  against,  174,  214. 
Tablets  Inscription  on,  245. 
Tower  on  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  115. 
Taste,  bad,  of  the  Water,  144,  171,  194. 
Telegraph  Hill,  (South  Boston)  Reservoir,  114,  115, 

Tisdale,  S.  T.,  gift  of  Black  Bass  for  the  Lake  and  Brookline  Reservoir,  199. 
Test  of  pipes,  228. 

Union  "Water  Convention,  52. 

Vegetable  matter  in  Conduit,  220. 

Vote  of  the  citizens  to  introduce  Water,  1838,  p.  36,  46. 

VentUation,  244,  258. 

Visit,  annual,  of  City  Government  to  the  Lake,  201. 

Water  Works,  History  of,  and  Maps,  145 ;  Map  of,  149 ;  annual  expense  and  deficient  incom'^ 
of,  207 ;  progress,  additions,  increase,  228 ;  in  1851,  p.  235 ;  Plan  and  section  of  part  of, 
opposite  242 ;  act  for  protection  of,  197 ;    division  of  Aqueduct,  240 ;  civil  organiza- 
tion, 271. 
Water  Works  Company,  1. 
Water  Works  of  other  cities,  10,  11,  179. 
Water,  Petitions  for  and  against  its  introduction,  29  to  33. 

"      from  Long  Pond,  in  1846,  p.  57,  65,  112. 

"      to  East  Boston,  70,  73,  84,  86,  110. 

"      to  Deer  Island,  142,  222. 

"      Rates,  81,  130,  195,  207,  222. 

"     Board,  Election  of,  91 :   Ordinance  for  Election  of,  199 ;  time  of  annual  Report 
changed,  214;  principle  of  their  Ordinances,  215;   office  of,  201,  214;   OflScers  of, 
Appendix;  Library  for,  227. 
Water  Board,  Members  of,  272. 

"     necessary  daily  supply  of,  229. 

"     let  into  Conduit  first  time,  112. 

"  "      Brookline  Reservoir  first  time,  113. 

"  "      City  "  "  112. 

"  "      Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,    "  117. 

"  "      South  Boston        "  "  118. 

"  "      East         "  "  "  137. 

'«  "      Service-Pipes  "  112. 

"     for  fountains,  119. 

"     Free,  127,  136,  175,  196. 

"     Waste  of,  131,  141,  168,  177,  178,  205,  223,  22^ 

"     for  McLean  Asylum  and  State  Prison,  141. 

♦'     Meters,  Hughes',  127,  Huse's,  141,  Worthington,  184. 


XX] 

Water  Eates  assessed  on  Public  Buildings,  168. 

«     for  the  Navy  Yard,  130,  175. 

«      "    Skating  Parks,  185,  196. 

«      "    Power  Meters,  201. 
Work  on  the  Tunnels  commenced,  101. 

"  "        finished.  111. 

Work  laying  Main  Pipe  commenced,  106, 
Waste  Weirs,  241 ;  description  of,  243. 
Worthington  Meters,  184,  213. 

Warren,  Dr.  J.  C,  Letter  to  the  Mayor  on  Water  for  the  City,  5;  Petition,  13. 
Water  Union,  52,  57. 
Water  Rents,  82,  195,  207,  222. 

"    for  fountains  at  State  House,  84. 

"    Board  established,  89;  movement  to  abolish,  174;  important  Report  of,  228 :  List 
of,  272. 
Whitwell,  Wm.  S.,  elected  Chief  Engineer  of  Eastern  Division,  96. 
White  Hall  Pond,  purchased,  100. 
Water,  bad  taste  of,  144,  171,  194. 
Wayland,  agreement  to  raise  Lake  Cochituate,  182. 
Wightman,  Henry  M.,  appointed  Resident  Engineer,  220. 
Water  Registrar,  proposition  to  abolish,  221. 
Water  Ordinances,  63,  81,  85,  134,  141,  169,  222. 


PAET    FIEST. 


PROCEEDINGS    OE    THE    CITIZENS    AND    THE    CITY    GOVERNMENT 

ON     THE     SUBJECT     OF     THE     INTRODUCTION     OE 

WATER    INTO    THE    CITY   OF    BOSTON, 

UP   TO    THE    YEAR    1850. 


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1652.] 


CHAPTER    I. 

1825    TO    1832. 

Conduit  —  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  —  Supply  from  Spot  Pond  —  First  action  of  the  City 
Government  —  A  Committee  chosen  to  consider  the  expediency  of  introducing  Water  — 
Report  of  the  Committee  —  First  appropriation  made  —  Professor  Daniel  Treadwell 
appointed  a  Commissioner  to  make  a  survey — His  Report  —  Letter  of  Dr.  John  C. 
"Warren  —  Mayor  Quincy's  address  —  Proposition  of  George  and  Thomas  Odiorne  — 
Mayor  Otis'-  Address. 

Previous  to  the  year  1825,  there  was  no  public  action  on  the  part  of  the 
citizens  of  Boston  to  introduce,  at  the  expense  of  the  City,  a  supply  of  pure 
water,  although  it  had  been  partially  introduced  by  two  private  companies. 

Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff,  in  one  of  his  articles  on  "  Boston  in  the  Olden  Time," 
gives  a  full  account  of  the  "  Ancient  Conduit,"  and  also  of  the  "  Jamaica  Pond 
Aqueduct  Company"  and  by  his  courtesy,  we  make  the  following  extracts. 

Of  the  "Ancient  Conduit,"  he  says,  "among  the  most  noted  of  the  early 
attempts  for  procuring  water  for  the  daily  use  of  the  towns'  people  was  the 
Conduit,  a  very  singular  contrivance,  but  one  which  answered  a  very  good  pur- 
pose in  the  limited  space  in  which  its  benevolence  was  experienced 

In  1652,  at  the  May  Session  of  the  General  Court  of  the  Colony,  on  petition 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Conduit  Street  in  Boston,  ^The  Water  Works  Com- 
pany '  was  incorporated  for  building  the  conduit,  and  provisions  were  made 
for  the  use  of  the  water  in  case  of  fire. 

"  From  what  has  been  stated,  it  would  appear  that  the  conduit  was  a  large 
reservoir,  about  twelve  feet  square,  made  for  holding  water,  conveyed  to  it  by 
pipes  leading  from  neighboring  wells  and  springs,  for  the  purpose  of  extin- 
guishing fires  and  supplying  the  inhabitants  dwelling  near  it  with  water  for 
domestic  purposes.  Over  the  reservoir  was  a  wooden  building,  in  the  olden 
time,  used  for  storage  purposes ;  but  in  more  modern  days,  the  old  building 
was  removed,  and  the  conduit  covered  with  plank,  raised  in  the   centre  about 


2  [1795-6. 

two  feet,  and  sloping  to  the  sides,  like  a  hipped  roof. This  strange 

construction  was  situated  in  a  square  formed  by  the  junction  of  Wing's  lane 
(now  Elm  Street,)  and  Union  Street,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  present 
North  Street,  and  a  short  distance  from  Dock  Square.  The  street  leading 
from  the  conduit  to  the  Draw  Bridge  placed  over  the  Mill  Creek,  now  the  site 
of  Blackstone  Street,  was  one  of  the  first  highways  laid  out  by  the  early  settlers 
of  the  town,  and  was  for  a  long  time  known  as  Conduit  Street,  because  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  conduit  owned  an  estate  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  about 
where  the  old  building  stands,  now  occupied  by  Joseph  Breck  and  Sons  as  an 
agricultural  warehouse 

"  The  old  conduit  never  fulfilled  the  expectations  of  those  who  devised  and 
built  it ,'  and  its  traces  have  so  entirely  disappeared,  that  not  a  single  vestige  of 
it  can  be  found,  and  an  occasional  mention  of  the  street  that  bore  its  name,  and 
the  old  estate  alluded  to,  is  all  that  can  be  found  concerning  it  in  the  ancient 
town  books  and  in  the  conveyances  of  land  in  Suffolk  Records.  No  digging 
in  the  street,  for  laying  of  drains  or  sewers,  has,  within  the  remembrance  of 
persons  now  living,  shown  any  of  its  remains,  although  it  was  well  remembered 
in  its  last  condition  by  the  old  persons  who  have  recently  passed  away.  .  .  . 

"  The  exact  position  of  the  conduit  is  marked  out  on  John  Bonner's  plan  of 
the  town,  engraved  in  1722,  and  has  been  pointed  out  by  antiquaries  as  being 
near  where  the  present  North  Street  and  Market  Square  join  Union  Street, 
just  west  of  the  'Old  Feather  Store,'  which  was  taken  down  between  the  10th 
and  13th  of  July,  1860." 

In  another  article,  giving  an  account  of  the  "  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,"  he 
says:  "  On  the  27th  of  February,  1795,  Governor  Samuel  Adams  approved 
an  Act  of  the  General  Court  whereby  Luther  Fames,  Nathan  Bond  and  Wil- 
liam Page,  and  their  associates,  were  vested  with  corporate  powers  for  the 
management  and  direction  of  the  business,  as  a  Company,  of  bringing  fresh 
water  into  the  town  of  Boston  by  subterraneous  pipes ;  and,  by  a  subsequent 
Act  passed  on  the  10th  of  June,  1796,  this  Corporation  was  empowered  to 
assume  the  appellation  of  'The  Aqueduct  Corporation.'" 

The  Corporation  was  authorized  "  to  bring  from  any  part  of  the  town  of 
Roxbury  into  the  town  of  Boston,  and  into  any  street  in  the  same  town,  all 
such  fresh  water  as  they,  the  said  Luther  Fames,  Nathan  Bond  and  William 
Page,  and  their  associates,  or  any,  or  either  of  them,  in  their  private  and  nat- 
ural capacities  '  then  had  or  hereafter  should '  have  a  right  to  dispose  of  or 
to  convey  from  the  springs  or  sources  thereof."  The  act  gave  power  also 
to  open  the  ground  in  any  of  the  streets  or  highways  in  Roxbury  and  Boston 
as  should  be  required  for  the  sinking  of  the  water  pipes,  but  with  very  prudent 


1816  &  1825.]  3 

provisions,  whicli  prevented  the  aqueduct  from  becoming  a  nuisance,  or  impair- 
ing any  right  of  the  town  of  Eoxburj  or  any  of  its  inhabitants  in  and  to  the 
waters  of  Jamaica  Pond. 

"  The  Corporation  could  hold  only  thirty-three  thousand  dollars  in  real 
estate,  and  the  water  works  were  to  be  divided  into  one  hundred  shares. 

"  The  price  of  water  was  to  be  regulated  by  the  General  Court,  the  towns  of 
Boston  and  Roxbury  were  to  have  the  privilege  of  hydrants  for  extinguishing 
fires,  and  the  first  meeting  was  to  be  called  by  Hon.  James  Sullivan  upon  the 
proper  application  of  the  persons  named  in  the  act.  On  the  22d  of  June,  1 803, 
an  Additional  Act  was  passed  to  facilitate  the  operations  of  the  Corporation. 

"  The  Capital  of  this  Company,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty  thousand  dollars,  or  about  thirteen  hundred  dollars  to  a 
share,  which  became  much  depreciated  in  value. 

"  No  dividends  were  made  during  the  first  ten  years  after  the  commencement 
of  the  works,  and  subsequently  the  average  of  the  dividends  for  thirty  years 
amounted  to  a  fraction  less  than  four  per  cent  a  year.  When  the  Aqueduct 
was  in  its  greatest  prosperity  it  supplied  about  fifteen  hundred  houses  with 
water,  chiefly  at  the  South  End,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Summer  and 
Essex,  and  of  Pleasant  and  Charles  streets. 

"  The  water  was  brought  from  Jamaica  Pond  in  Roxbury  through  four  main 
pipes  of  pitch-pine  logs,  two  of  four  inches  bore,  and  two  of  three  inches,  the 
lateral  pipes  having  a  bore  of  one  and  a  half  inch.  The  lineal  extent  of  the 
water  pipes  in  Boston  was  about  fifteen  miles,  and  they  reached  north  as  far  as 
Franklin  Street,  and  branched  off  easterly  through  Harrison  Avenue  into 
Congress  Street  nearly  to  State  Street,  and  to  Broad  Street.  They  also 
branched  off  westerly  through  Pleasant  and  Charles  streets,  extending  as  far 
as  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  which  was  supplied  with  Jamaica  Pond 
water."  In  1840,  this  Company  laid  a  10-inch  iron  pipe  from  the  Pond  to 
Bowdoin  Square. 

In  1816,  Cyrus  Alger  and  others  took  some  measures  for  the  introduction 
of  water  into  the  town  of  Boston  from  Spot  Pond  in  Stoneham^  but  upon 
further  investigation  they  found  it  would  be  inexpedient. 

The  First  Action  of  the  City  Government  of  Boston,  in  regard  to 

A   SUPPLY   OF   water   FOR   THE    CiTY,   WAS   TAKEN   ON  THE  19tH  OF  MaY,  1825, 

when  a  Committee  was  chosen.  Mayor  Quincy  being  its  chairman.  That 
Committee  were  instructed  to  inquire  into  the  practicability,  expense  and 
expediency  of  supplying  the  city  with  pure  water. 

On  the  loth  of  June  following,  they  made  their  Report,  in  which  they  say: 


4  [1825.  I 

''  There  can  be  no  question  concerning  its  practicability  or  expediency,  and  J 

the  only  question,  is  the  expense,  and  the  mode  in  which  it  can  be  effected.  I 

They  believe  that  capitalists  may  be  found  willing  to  join  the  city  in  carrying  f 

into  effect  such  an  undertaking,  but  whether  such  association  ought  to  be  ^ 

formed,  or  whether  it  ought  wholly  to  be  left  to  private  enterprise,  or  wholly 
effected  at  the  expense  of  the  city,  are  questions  on  which  there  is  a  diversity 
of  opinion,  and  no  plan  should  be  adopted  without  great  deliberation :  and 
they  recommend  that  a  survey  be  made,  at  the  expense  of  the  city,  of  the 
sources  from  which  a  supply  could  be  obtained." 

On  the  same  day  an  Order  was  passed  authorizing  the  Mayor  and  Alder- 
men, to  cause  such  survey  to  be  made,  and  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars 
was  appropriated  to  pay  the  expenses  thereof.  On  the  11th  of  July,"the  Mayor 
in  behalf  of  the  Board,  appointed  Professok  Daniel  Treadwell,  A  Commis- 
sioner "  to  ascertain  the  practicability  of  supplying  the  city  with  good  water 
for  the  domestic  use  of  the  inhabitants,  as  well  as  for  extinguishing  fires,  and 
for  all  the  general  purposes  of  comfort  and  cleanliness." 

Professor  Treadwell  made  his  report  November  4th,  of  the  same  year, 
covering  with  his  estimates  twenty-nine  pages,  of  which  we  make  the  following 
abstract. 

He  says :  "  It  is  a  matter  of  no  small  difficulty  to  fix,  satisfactorily,  upon 
the  quantity  of  water  which  any  works,  worthy  of  the  City,  ought  to  supply. 
The  former  water  works  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  supplied  1,000,000 
gallons  daily,  to  about  60,000  inhabitants.  This  was  found  so  insufficient,  as 
to  render  it  necessary  to  alter  and  enlarge  the  works,  at  a  great  expense,  and 
they  were  then  made  capable  of  supplying  3,000,000  gallons,  daily. 

"The  present  (1825)  supply  of  London,  according  to  Professor  Leslie, 
amounts  to  29,160,000  gallons,  daily ;  this  quantity,  he  says,  is  abundantly 
sufficient ;  the  rivalship  of  the  several  water  C(3mpanies  having  almost  deluged 
the  streets. 

"  The  population  of  London,  within  the  district  supplied  by  the  water  com- 
panies, is  to  that  of  Boston  as  20  to  1,  nearly;  consequently,  1,458,000  gallons 
distributed  to  this  city,  would  be  in  proportion  to  the  London  supply. 

"Taking  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  at  50,000,  collected  into  8,000  families, 
and  supposing  each  family  to  use  60  gallons  for  washing,  and  on  the  same  day 
40  gallons  for  all  other  purposes,  we  have  100  gallons  to  each  family.  As 
not  more  than  6,000  families  would  be  likely  to  wash  on  the  same  day,  we 
may  take,  as  the  greatest  quantity  required  on  any  one  day,  6,000  families, 
100  gallons  each,  and  the  remaining  2,000  families,  40  gallons  each,  making 
680,000  gallons.     Now,  if  we  take  the  other  ordinary  demands,  by  the  trades, 


1825.]  5 

and  for  watering  cattle,  streets,  etc.,  together  with  the  loss  by  leaks  and  waste, 
at  500,000  more,  we  get  1,180,000  gallons  as  the  maximum  for  daily  consump- 
tion, allowing  every  family  to  use  the  water.  Making  an  allowance 
for  the  increase  of  the  city,  the  supply  ought  not  to  be  less  than  1,600,000 
gallons.  Although  this  falls  below  the  quantity,  which  from  the  example  of 
Philadelphia,  would  seem  to  be  required,  yet  from  the  above  computation,  I 
think  it  must  appear  an  ample  supply. 

"  I  have  not  taken  into  the  above  account,  the  supply  required  for  extinguish- 
ing fires.  In  such  an  emergency,  the  use  of  water,  for  most  other  purposes, 
must  be  forbidden,  and  under  this  condition,  works  capable  of  furnishing  the 
above  quantity  of  water  for  ordinary  purposes,  will  furnish  at  a  fire  over  1,100 
gallons  a  minute,  a  quantity  equal  to  that  used  by  eight  large  fire  engines."  "  In 
addition  to  this,  by  having  Reservoirs  generally  full  in  the  city,  a  still  further 
security,  so  far  as  a  supply  of  water  can  render  a  city  secure,  will  be  ob- 
tained." 

He  then  says  "  there  are  several  places  within  the  neighborhood  of  Boston, 
from  which  1,600,000  gallons  of  water,  or  more,  may  be  obtained  daily.  Two 
of  these,  Charles  River,  above  the  falls  of  Watertown,  and  Spot  Pond,  in 
Stoneham,  appear  to  possess  advantages  over  all  others. 

"  The  water  of  Charles  River  is  at  all  times  abundant  for  the  supply  of  the 
city,  although  it  is  not  sufficiently  elevated  to  be  distributed,  without  being  at 
first  raised  by  artificial  means.  But  Spot  Pond  is  140  feet  above  the 
tide-water,  and  consequently  its  water  may  be  brought  to  the  highest  land  in 
the  city,  by  an  aqueduct,  without  any  further  elevation."  He  then  states  how  it 
should  be  brought  from  Charles  River,  and  from  Spot  Pond ;  estimating  the 
cost  of  bringing  water  from  Charles  River  at  $514,842,  and  from  Spot  Pond 
from  $558,353  to  $615,469,  according  to  which  of  two  routes,  which  he  desig- 
nates, should  be  taken.     These  estimates  are  all  given  in  detail. 

On  the  14th  of  November,  1825,  the  committee  submitted  the  above  report 
to  the  City  Government,  and  the  whole  subject  was  referred  to  the  next  City 
Council. 

On  the  23d  of  the  same  month.  Dr.  John  C.  Warren,  feeling  the  necessity  of 
the  case,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Mayor  on  the  importance  of  a  supply  of  pure 
water,  urging  the  immediate  action  of  the  City  Government.  This  letter,  with 
others,  is  referred  to  by  Mayor  Quincy,  in  his  Inaugural  Address,  made  January 
1826,  in  which  he  says :  "  Among  the  objects  to  which  the  attention  of  the 
City  Council  will  be  drawn  the  ensuing  year,  is  that  of  a  sufficient  and  never- 
failing  supply  for  our  city,  of  pure  river  or  pond  water,  which  shall  be  ade- 
quate for  all  purposes  of  protection  against  fire,  and  for  all  culinary  and  other 


6  [1825. 

domestic  purposes,  and  capable  of  being  introduced  into  every  house  in  tlie 
city.  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  state  unequivocally,  this  object  ought  never  to  be 
lost  sight  of  by  tlic  City  Council,  until  effected  upon  a  scale  proportionate  to 
its  convenience,  and  our  urgent  necessities. 

"  Physicians  of  the  first  respectability,  have  urged  this  topic  upon  me,  in  my 
official  capacity,  on  the  ground  of  health,  in  addition  to  all  the  other  obvious 
comforts  and  advantages  to  be  anticipated  from  an  adequate  supply  of  such 
water.  The  spring  water  of  Boston  they  assert  to  be  generally  harsh, 
owing  to  its  being  impregnated  with  various  saline  substances ;  and  that  this 
impregnation  impairs  its  excellence  as  an  article  of  drink,  and  essentially 
diminishes  its  salubrity. 

"  In  the  course  of  their  practice,  they  say  they  have  noticed  many  diseases  to 
be  relieved  and  cured  by  an  exchange  of  the  common  spring  water  for  soft 
water  of  the  aqueduct,  or  distilled  water.  Hence  they  have  been  led  to  the 
opinion,  that  many  complaints  of  an  obscure  origin,  owe  their  existence  to  the 
qualities  of  the  common  spring  water  of  Boston.  The  introduction  of  an  ample 
supply  of  pure  water,  would  therefore,  they  apprehend,  contribute  much  to  the 
health  of  the  place,  and  prove  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  which  could  be 
bestowed  on  this  city. 

"  I  am  induced  to  bring  this  subject  before  the  City  Council  on  the  present 
occasion,  thus  distinctly,  from  having  been  informed  that  citizens  among  us  of 
the  highest  respectability,  both  in  point  of  talents  and  property,  seriously  con- 
template an  association  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  this  city  with  water,  and 
of  making  application  to  the  Legislature  for  an  act  of  incorporation  for  that 
object,  —  an  attempt  which,  if  made,  I  trust  will  be  met  by  the  City  Council 
with  the  most  decided  and  strenuous  opposition,  and  with  a  corresponding 
spirit  and  determination  to  effect  this  great  object  solely  on  account  and  with 
the  resources  of  the  City. 

"On  this  topic,  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  declare  explicitly  my  opinion,  that  in 
such  a  project  the  City  ought  to  consent  to  no  copartnership.  If  there  be  any 
pri^dlege  which  a  city  ought  to  reserve  exclusively  in  its  own  hands,  and  under 
its  own  control,  it  is  that  of  supplying  itself  with  water.  No  private  capitalists 
will  engage  in  such  an  enterprise  without  at  least  a  rational  expectation  of 
profit.  To  this,  either  an  exclusive  right,  or  privilege  of  the  nature  of,  or 
equivalent  to,  an  exclusive  right,  is  essential.  There  are  so  many  ways  in 
which  water  may  be  desirable,  and  in  such  a  variety  of  quantities,  for  use, 
comfort,  and  pleasure,  that  it  is  impossible  to  provide,  by  any  prospective  pro- 
visions, in  any  charter  granted  to  individuals,  for  all  the  cases,  uses,  and  quan- 
tities wliich  the  ever-increasing  wants  of  a  great  city  in  the  course  of  years 
may  require. 


1826-28.]  7 

"  Besides,  it  being  an  article  of  the  first  necessity,  and  on  its  free  use  so  much 
of  health  as  well  as  comfort  depends,  every  city  should  reserve  in  its  own 
power  the  means,  unrestrained,  of  encouraging  its  use,  by  reducing  as  fast  as 
possible,  the  cost  of  obtaining  it,  not  only  to  the  poor  but  to  all  classes  of  the 
community.  This  never  can  be  the  case  when  the  right  is  in  the  hands  of 
individuals,  with  anything  like  the  facility  and  speed  as  when  under  the 
control  of  the  city. 

"In  addition  to  these  considerations,  the  right  to  break  up  the  streets, 
which  that  of  supplying  the  city  with  water  implies,  ought  never  to  be 
intrusted  to  private  hands,  who  through  cupidity  or  regard  to  false  economy, 
may  have  an  interest  not  to  execute  the  works  upon  a  sufficiently  extensive 
scale,  with  permanent  materials,  thereby  increasing  the  inconvenience  and 
expense  which  the  exercise  of  the  power  of  breaking  up  the  streets  necessarily 
induces."  .  .  .  The  Mayor  then  gives  an  extract  from  a  letter  received  by  him 
from  the  superintendent  of  the  Philadelphia  water  works,  Joseph  S.  Lewis,  Esq., 
from  which  we  take  the  following :  "  Your  object  should  be  to  have  enough 
and  to  spare,  and  the  calculation  should  be  formed  on  one  hundred  and  fifty 
gallons  for  each  family,  which  will  afford  a  supply  for  washing  the  streets, 
waste  by  leakage,  etc.,  and  the  experience  of  this  city  (Philadelphia,)  fully  jus- 
tifies me  in  saying,  that  it  is  not  too  much,  although  in  London  a  less  amount  is 
made  to  answer." 

On  January  5th,  that  part  of  the  Address  of  the  Mayor  above  mentioned, 
together  with  Professor  Treadwell's  Report,  was  referred  to  a  special  com- 
mittee. Mayor  Quincy  being  its  chairman,  to  ascertain  the  expense  of  the 
sources  recommended. 

This  committee  on  the  12th  of  the  same  month,  asked  leave  to  have  further 
surveys  made,  which  was  granted,  but  there  is  no  record  to  be  found  of  their 
report,  if  they  ever  made  one. 

In  the  following  year,  February  5th,  1827,  George  and  Thomas  Odiorne, 
owners  of  Spot  Pond,  in  Stoneham,  oflered  "  to  supply  the  city  with  fresh 
water  from  said  pond,  to  be  conveyed  by  an  aqueduct,  provided  the  City  Gov- 
ernment would  approve  of  the  project,  and  prescribe  such  reasonable  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  management,  distribution  and  conducting  the  water,  as  would 
to  their  minds  present  a  prospect  of  remuneration ;  at  the  same  time  giving 
the  city  certain  privileges  for  fii^e  Hydrants,  and  for  other  purposes."  This 
was  referred  to  a  committee,  who  reported  in  November,  "  That  it  was  inex- 
pedient to  take  any  action  thereon." 

During  the  year  1828,  there  was  no  action  on  the  subject. 


8  [1829-31. 

The  following  year,  1829,  Mayor  Otis  in  his  Inaugural  Address,  January 
5th,  alludes  to  the  want  of  a  supply  of  water  thus :  "  There  is,  however, 
wanting  to  the  city,  a  convenience  of  which,  it  is  ventured  to  assert,  it  should 
never  lose  sight, —  an  abundant  supply  of  wholesome  water.  The  object  has 
been  placed  before  the  City  Council  on  a  former  occasion  by  my  predecessor, 
in  striking  relief,  and  I  am  free  to  avow  my  conviction  of  the  correctness  of  the 
views  by  him  exhibited  in  relation  to  it."  .  .  .  But  there  was  no  action  on 
the  subject  during  the  year. 

During  the  years  1830  and  1831,  the  subject  was  not  brought  to  the  notice 
of  the  City  Government. 


1832-34] 


CHAPTER     II. 

1832  TO  1837. 

Committee  on  Water  chosen  1832  —  First  application  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  — 
New  survey  ordered  —  Col.  Loammi  Baldwin  appointed  to  survey  —  His  Eeport  — 
Eeport  of  the  Committee  —  Appropriation  made  —  Petition  of  Dr.  John  C.  "Warren  and 
others  —  Committee  on  Water  chosen  1832  — Third  survey  ordered  —  Petition  of  Isaac 
Parker  and  others  —  Eeport  of  the  Committee  —  Eobert  H.  Eddy  appointed  to  make  a 
survey  —  His  Eeport  —  Boston  Hydraulic  Company  —  Third  appropriation  made  — 
Meeting  at  Faneuil  Hall  —  Eesolutions  passed  —  Memorial  of  the  Boston  Aqueduct 
Corporation  —  Eeport  of  the  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  Eesolutions  and 
memorial. 

January  9th,  1832,  a  committee  of  the  City  Government  was  chosen,  the 
Mayor,  Charles  Wells,  being  its  chairman,  to  consider  and  report  upon  the 
"  practicability,  expense  and  expediency  of  supplying  the  city  with  water," 
and  on  December  31st,  of  the  same  year,  they  reported  that  the  further  consid- 
eration of  the  subject  be  referred  to  the  next  City  Government. 

Upon  the  twenty-first  of  January,  the  next  year,  1833,  another  committee  was 
chosen.  Mayor  Wells  being  its  chairman,  with  the  same  instructions. 

On  the  eleventh  of  March  following,  the  City  Council  requested  the  Mayor  to 
apply  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  "  authorizing  the  City  Council  of  Boston 
to  take  by  purchase  or  otherwise  such  quantity  of  land  as  may  be  necessary 
for  the  convenience  of  bringing  soft  water  into  the  city  by  aqueduct,  from 
such  neighboring  Town  as  may  be  hereafter  determined,  and  to  take  all  such 
other  measures  as  the  City  Council  shall  judge  requisite  in  the  premises." 
Accordingly,  Mayor  Wells  on  the  19th  of  March,  1833,  made  application  to 
the  Legislature;  but,  as  it  was  so  late  in  the  season,  nothing  could  be  done, — 
and,  on  the  21st,  the  petition  was  referred  to  the  next  General  Court. 

February  10th,  1834,  the  Mayor,  Theodore  Lyman,  Jr.,  sent  a  communica- 
tion to  the  City  Council  on  the  subject  of  the  introduction  of  water,  which  was 

2 


10 


[1834. 


referred  to  a  Committee  to  report.  They  reported  April  14th,  wlien  the  fol- 
lowing vote  was  passed.  "  That  a  Committee  be  appointed,  with  authority 
to  cause  a  survey  to  be  made  by  competent  persons,  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining whether  a  steady  and  copious  supply  of  pure  and  soft  water  can  be 
obtained ;  and  also  what  will  be  the  best  mode,  and  the  cost  of  introducing 
such  supply  of  water  into  the  City  5  and  that  the  said  Committee  report  to  the 
City  Council  the  result  of  the  survey  as  soon  as  completed." 

According  to  the  above  vote,  a  Committee  was  chosen,  the  Mayor  being  the 
chairman,  and  on  May  10th,  1834,  they  appointed  Col.  Loammi  Baldwin,  to 
make  an  examination,  survey  and  report  upon  the  subject. 

Col.  Baldwin  immediately  commenced  upon  the  work,  and  made  his  report 
to  the  Committee  October  1st,  1834,  which  covers,  including  estimates  and 
appendix,  seventy-eight  pages.     (See  City  Document  No  12,  of  that  year.*) 

This  is  one  of  the  most  complete  reports  on  the  subject  of  supplying  a  city 
with  water,  that  can  be  found. 

He  says :  "  There  are  four  methods  by  which  water  is  usually  procured  by 
the  citizens  of  populous  towns.  First,  by  collecting  in  cisterns,  rain  water 
falling  on  roofs  of  houses,  etc.  Second,  by  raising  it  from  wells  made  in  the 
common  way.  Third,  by  boring  into  the  earth  and  tapping  springs  below. 
Fourth,  by  conducting  it  into  town  from  high  and  distant  sources,  either  by 
aqueduct,  conduit  pipes,  or  pumps.  He  then  describes  each  mode  j  six  pages 
being  required  for  the  account  of  Artesian  or  Bored  Wells,  and  twenty-six 
pages  for  Aqueducts.  In  the  latter  he  describes  the  aqueducts  of  ancient  and 
modern  Rome,  giving  the  following  table  of  the  former. 


Name. 

Era. 

Length. 

Cubic  feet  per  day. 

Gallons  per  day. 

1. 

Appian  Aqueduct 

B.C. 

312 

10.3250 

3,706,575 

27,724,181 

2. 

Old  Anio       " 

ii. 

273 

36.6775 

8,932,338 

66,813,887 

3. 

Marcian        " 

ti 

146 

56.9417 

9,525,390 

71,249,917 

4. 

Tepulan         " 

(C 

127 

14.2341 

903,795 

6,760,386 

6. 

Julian            " 

u 

35 

2,449,386 

18,321,407 

6. 

Virgin            " 

(C 

22 

14.3116 

5,085,624 

38,040,467 

7. 

Alsietina      '^ 

A.  D. 

14 

20.4526 

796,152 

5,656,016 

8. 

Claudian       '^ 

(( 

49 

42.1989 

9,356,817 

96,988,991 

9. 

New  Anio     " 
Total, 

u 

90 

54.1644 

9,622,878 

71,979,127 

249.3058 

50,378,955 

379,834,379 

•  The  City  Documents  are  niimbered  each  year  from  No.  1,  upwards. 


1^ 


1834]  11 

He  describes  also  the  aqueducts  of  Constantinople,  Lyons  and  of  London  j 
giving  the  following  table  of  the  latter. 

Name. 

1.  New  River  Company  by  Canal 

2.  East  London  Water  Works 

3.  West  Middlesex  Water  Works 

4.  Chelsea  "  " 

5.  Grand  Junction        "  " 

6.  Lambeth  "  " 

7.  Vauxhall,  South  London  Water 

8.  Southwark  " 

Total, 

Accounts  of  the  Water  Supplies  of  Edinburgh,  Greenock,  Glasgow,  Paris, 
Beziers,  Philadelphia,  Cincinnati,  and  Richmond,  follow. 

He  then  comes  to  the  subject  of  the  supply  of  the  City  of  Boston,  and 
proceeds  to  the  investigation  of  the  means  of  supplying,  or  of  bringing  within 
the  control  of  the  city  5,000,000  gallons  daily. 

He  states  that  there  are  many  Ponds  within  the  distance  of  about  twenty 
miles,  from  which  a  supply  of  pure  water  may  be  had,  by  its  natural  flow  to 
ground  within  four  or  five  miles  of  Boston,  sufficiently  elevated  to  deliver 
water  through  pipes  without  the  intervention  of  machinery,  to  the  highest 
points  of  the  city ;  and  even  to  flow  the  floor  of  the  State  House. 

Some  of  these  Ponds  have  been  examined,  and  put  down  in  the  following 
table. 


Houses  of  Tenants. 

Cubic  feet  per  day. 

Gallons  per  day. 

66,000 

2,000,000 

13,000,000 

42,000 

950,000 

6,000,000 

15,000 

360,000 

2,250,000 

12,400 

282,000 

1,760,000 

7,700 

450,000 

2,800,000 

16,000 

200,000 

1,244,000 

Works  10,000 

160,000 

1,000,000 

"        7,000 

115,000 

720,000 

176,100 

4,517,000 

28,774,000 

] 

ffame  of  Pond. 

Town.                     Area. 

Ft.  above  Marsh 

.    Distance. 

Estimated  daily  capa- 

A.   Q.    R, 

M.    Q. 

R. 

city  in  gallons. 

1. 

Spot  Pond, 

Stoneham    260 

143.58 

1,600,000 

2, 

Waltham  Pond 

,  Waltham       52  0  51 

192.67 

11   3 

35 

3. 

Sandy          " 

Lincoln       152  1  24 

222.95 

16  3 

26 

4. 

Baptist        " 

Newton     '    33  2  24 

137.46 

9  3 

40 

5. 

Punkapog   " 

Canton         217 

147.77 

15  0 

41 

6. 

Charles  Elver, 

Watert'n 

7. 

Massapog  Pond,  Sharon 

8. 

Long             " 

Natick         600  2  24 

127.91 

24  3 

08 

16,156,800 

9. 

Farm            " 

Framingh'ml93 

149.37 

26  2 

60 

555,794 

10. 

Shakum       " 

89  2 

155.01 

27  0 

20 

11. 

Learnard's  " 

36 

158.32 

27  1 

70 

12. 

Dug              " 

Natick            30   ? 

133.66 

24  0 

63 

13. 

Morse's        " 

Needham         20   ? 

112.40 

20  0 

70 

14. 

Bullard's      " 

«               35 

104.45 

19  0 

07 

M 


12  [1834. 

He  then  describes  each  pond  separately,  and  adds :  "  From  all  the  sources 
I  have  examined  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  as  before  stated,  the  most  eligible 
are  those  of  Farm  and  Shakum  Ponds  in  Framingham,  together  with  inciden- 
tal ones  dependent  upon  them ;  and  Long  Pond  in  Natick. 

"  The  best  mode  of  bringing  the  water  to  town  is  by  an  aqueduct,  without 
the  use  of  pipes,  to  the  nearest  point  of  sufficient  height  to  allow  it  to  flow 
through  cast-iron  pipes  to  the  highest  land  in  the  city." 

For  this  purpose,  he  proposes  "  to  establish  a  Reservoir  near  the  road  lead- 
ing from  Roxbury  to  Brush  Hill  Turnpike ;  the  Reservoir  to  be  of  such  height 
that  the  surface  of  the  water,  when  full,  should  be  110  feet  above  marsh 
level." 

He  then  gives  four  plans  for  constructing  an  aqueduct.  "  First,  an  open  canal 
or  drain,  like  common  navigable  canals,  but  on  a  small  scale.  Second,  to 
build  stone  walls  four  or  five  feet  high,  instead  of  leaving  the  sides  of  the 
aqueduct  or  canal  of  natural  earth.  Third,  a  drain  with  stone-walls,  two 
or  three  feet  apart,  laid  upon  each  side,  without  mortar  or  cement,  three  or 
four  feet  high,  with  flat  stones  to  cover  the  top,  and  earth  laid  over  the  whole, 
so  as  effectually  to  conceal  the  work  from  sight,  protect  it  from  mischief  and 
frost,  and  leave  the  ground  free  for  ordinary  use. 

"  The  Fourth,  is  that  furnished  by  ancient  Roman  works,  and  is  like  the  third 
in  form,  but  built  in  regular  masonry,  laid  in  hydraulic  cement  or  in  common 
mortar,  and  lined  with  cement.  In  this,  the  bottom  should  be  stone,  the  top 
covered  with  the  same,  and  the  whole  laid  under  ground,  or  where  the  founda- 
tion is  too  low,  the  work  to  be  surrounded  and  covered  with  an  embankment." 
The  latter  is  the  one  that  he  recommends. 

He  then  gives  his  idea  of  the  route  to  be  taken,  with  a  description  of 
each  section,  and  the  cost  of  the  whole,  which  he  estimates  at  $750,000,  not 
including  the  distribution  in  the  city,  as  that  must  depend  on  the  quantity 
distributed. 

K  Long  Pond  should  be  adopted  instead  of  Farm  and  Shakum  Ponds,  it 
will  add,  in  his  opinion,  but  $20,000  or  $30,000  more. 

Col.  Baldwin  has  also  annexed  to  his  report  the  Analysis  made  by  Dr. 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  of  the  water  from  the  various  ponds  named,  and  also 
his  own  report  on  the  capacity  of  Jamaica  Pond,  in  which  he  states  that  "  this 
pond  could  distribute  ten  times  the  quantity  of  water  that  had  hitherto  been 
used." 

Mayor  Lyman,  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  gave  their  report  to  the  City 
Council,  November  17th,  together  with  that  of  Col.  Baldwin  above 
referred  to,  in  which  tlicy  say  that  the  subject  is  of  such  vast  importance,  that 


/ 


1834-36.]  13 

they  recommend  that  it  should  be  submitted  to  the  people,  and  that  the  report 
of  Col.  Baldwin  be  printed  for  general  distribution. 

During  the  year  1834,  there  were  three  appropriations  to  meet  the  expenses 
incurred  by  the  committee,  viz :  on  April  14th,  $2,000 ;  November  17th,  $2,000 ; 
and  on  December  8th,  $2,000. 

In  the  following  year,  August  17th,  1835,  a  Petition  was  presented  by 
J.  C.  Warren  and  others,  Physicians,  praying  that  measures  might  be  taken 
for  supplying  the  city  with  wholesome  water,  which  was  referred  to  a 
committee.  Mayor  Lyman  chairman,  who  reported  a  Resolution  favorable  to 
it,  on  October  13th  j  but  no  action  was  taken  thereon. 

January  4th,  1836,  a  committee  was  chosen,  Mayor  Samuel  T.  Armstrong 
chairman,  to  cause  a  survey  to  be  made,  and  to  take  into  consideration  whether 
it  be  best  for  the  City  to  bring  the  same  in  at  its  own  expense,  or  for  a  private 
corporation,  and  to  make  report.     (See  City  Document  No.  7,  of  1836.) 

A  Petition  was  presented  January  18th,  from  Isaac  Parker  and  435 
others,  praying  that  water  might  be  brought  into  the  city,  which  was  also 
referred  to  the  same  committee. 

The  committee,  on  the  14th  of  January,  employed  Mr.  Robert  H.  Eddy 
to  survey  Horn  and  other  Ponds  emptying  into  Mystic  Pond ;  also  Spy  and 
Fresh  Ponds  in  Cambridge;  and  on  the  21st  of  April,  requested  him  to  report 
on  the  cost^f  the  introduction  of  the  waters  of  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds  into 
the  city.    ^       ^ 

On  the  16th  of  April,  1836,  was  passed  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  Edward 
Everett  being  Governor,  incorporating  William  Sullivan,  Daniel  P.  Parker, 
Caleb  Eddy,  and  their  associates  and  successors,  by  the  name  of  the  Boston 
Hydraulic  Company.  This  Act  gave  the  company  power  to  issue  one  thou- 
sand shares,  and  to  assess  the  same,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  one  thousand 
dollars  per  share,  and  to  take  any  ponds  or  lands  covered  with  water  situated 
northwardly  of  Charles  River,  and  within  twelve  miles  of  Boston,  for  the 
purpose  of  conducting  water  therefrom  through  the  town  of  Charlestown,  in 
the  county  of  Middlesex,  and  through  the  City  of  Boston.  It  gave  full  power 
for  the  erection  of  the  works  and  maintaining  the  same ;  also  gave  the  power 
to  the  City  of  Boston  to  subscribe  for  one-third  part  of  the  shares  or  any  less 
proportion  thereof.  The  City  of  Boston  also  had  the  right  to  purchase  of  the 
Corporation  their  franchise  and  all  their  personal  and  real  property  "by 
paying  therefor  such  a  sum  as  together  with  their  receipts  will  reimburse  the 
whole  amount  expended,  with  an  interest  of  ten  per  cent  per  annum  ,•  and  in 
the  event  of  purchase,  the  city  to  take  all  the  rights,  and  be  subject  to  all  the 


14  [1836. 

dnties  of  the  Corporation,  especially  as  to  continuing  the  supply  of  water  to 
the  toTvn  of  Charlestown." 

The  Act  provided  that  if  the  work  was  not  commenced  within  three  years, 
or  completed  within  six  years,  the  Act  should  be  void,  and  it  would  likewise 
be  void,  unless  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston  should,  within  four 
months  after  its  passage,  declare  by  a  vote  their  assent  thereto. 

Mr.  Eddy  made  his  Report  to  the  Committee  the  13th  of  June,  covering 
twenty-six  pages.     (See  City  Document  No.  12,  of  1836.) 

In  it  he  says :  "  We  should  be  very  cautious  in  the  choice  of  a  project  for 
the  supply  of  water  for  many  reasons.  The  consumption  of  water  by  the 
inhabitants  of  a  large  city  is  extremely  slow  after  its  introduction,  many  years 
elapsing  before  the  quantity  the  works  are  capable  of  affording  is  thoroughly 
distributed.     The  income  is  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  used. 

"  K  the  introduction  is  in  proportion  to  the  consumption,  and  at  such  a  cost 
from  time  to  time  as  to  afford  a  good  interest  on  the  principal  invested,  the 
works  must  always  continue  to  be  productive.  On  the  contrary,  should  we  at 
the  cnmmencement  invest  a  large  amount  of  capital  in  works  calculated  to 
introduce  at  once  a  quantity  sufficient  for  the  consumption  at  2^  future  period j 
when  the  city  shall  have  increased  greatly  in  size,  but  a  small  portion  of  this 
water  is  at  first  taken  by  the  inhabitants,  and,  of  course,  the  income  being 
always  in  proportion  to  the  consumption,  much,  if  not  a  greater  part  of  the 
capital  invested,  must  be  unproductive ;  and,  in  a  short  time,  the  simple  or 
compound  interest  lost  on  the  unproductive  portion  exceeds  the  capital  itself, 
thus  causing  the  actual  cost  of  the  works,  (when  the  period  of  time  shall 
arrive  that  the  consumption  shall  equal  their  means  of  supply,)  to  exceed 
perhaps  double  or  treble  the  first  outlay,  and  always  be  an  unproductive 
propert}^ 

"  In  point  of  purity,  our  fresh  water  lakes,  fed  by  springs  and  mountain 
brooks,  are  infinitely  superior  to  rivers,  the  latter  being  generally  charged 
with  detritus  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  while  nature,  in  the  former,  has 
afforded  the  means  which  art  takes  to  remove  the  impurities. 

"  These  lakes  are  large  settling  Reservoirs  of  themselves,  and  the  waters 
derived  from  them  are  of  the  purest  nature.  By  the  introduction  of  such,  we 
are  not  subject  to  costly  projects  of  filtration,  or  to  the  erection  of  large  and 
expensive  Reservoirs  to  remove  the  extraneous  matter.  Such  being  the  fact,  it 
becomes  a  highly  important  consideration,  whether  it  is  not  cheaper  in  the  end 
to  expend  at  first  a  much  greater  sum  to  bring  the  waters  of  a  pure  lake  into 
the  city  than  Avould  be  necessary  to  introduce  those  of  a  river." 


1836.] 


15 


After  making  a  few  remarks  in  regard  to  Charles  and  Neponset  Eivers,  he 
says: 

"  Within  a  compass  of  thirty  miles  around  Boston  are  many  fresh  water 
lakes,  all  at  a  sufficient  altitude  above  the  level  of  the  sea  to  reach  the  highest 
land  by  the  force  of  gravity ;  but  as  all  these  lakes  have  their  outlets  into  either 
the  Neponset,  Charles  or  Concord  Rivers,  they  act  as  feeders,  and  are  among 
the  principal  sources  from  which  these  rivers  derive  their  water.  It  is  evident 
the  greater  the  capacity,  and  the  higher  these  lakes  are  above  tide-water,  the 
more  valuable  they  become  as  tributaries  to  streams,  on  which  are  situated 
extensive  mills  and  factories ;  and  when  it  is  known  that  in  order  to  introduce 
five  or  six  millions  of  gallons  of  water  into  the  city  (a  supply  for  a  future 
period),  it  would  be  necessary  to  take  from  any  point,  a  quantity  of  water 
sufficient,  with  an  ordinary  fall  of  1 6  feet,  to  operate  a  large  cotton  factory  of 
four  or  five  thousand  spindles,  the  damage  to  works  already  built  at  different 
points  on  the  several  streams,  into  which  the  waste  waters  of  these  lakes  flow, 
increases  in  the  ratio  above  stated,  and  must,  in  many  instances,  be  almost 
incalculable ;  and  were  the  City  Government  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature to  take  a  pond  with  these  liabilities,  the  city  would  be  involved  in  exten- 
sive and  endless  litigation  and  expense. 

"  The  waters  of  the  Ponds  of  Framingham  and  vicinity,  known  by  the  names 
of  Farm,  Shakum,  and  Long  Ponds,  empty  into  Concord  River." 

After  naming  a  number  of  mills  and  factories  below  these  sources,  he  says : 
"  All  of  which  would  be  more  or  less  injured  by  the  abstraction  of  these 
waters.  The  same  objections  apply  to  Punkapog  Pond,  emptying  into  the 
Neponset,  which  could  only  be  brought  into  the  city  by  iron  pipes,  which  would 
be  of  such  number  and  dimensions,  as  to^  exceed  in  expense  a  sum  far  beyond 
what  the  consumption  would  ever  warrant." 

He  then  goes  into  a  calculation  as  to  the  cost  of  raising  water  by  steam 
power,  which  he  estimates  at  thirty -two  cents  per  horse  power,  and  says,  "  from 
these,  and  many  other  considerations  I  might  enumerate,  I  am  led  to  believe 
we  can  be  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  pure  soft  water,  from  resources 
within  five  miles,  iri  any  quantity  which  may  ever  be  wanted,  at  a  much  less 
expenditure  than  from  any  other  source  within  thirty  miles  of  the  city." 

He  gives  a  list  of  the  Ponds  surveyed  and  examined  as  follows : 


Spot  Pond,  containing       260  acres,  in  Stoneham. 

Horn  Pond,  "          102.83     "      in  Woburn. 

Wedge  Pond,  «            20.63     "      in  Woburn. 

Winter  Pond,  "            15.60     "      in  Woburn. 


16  [1836. 

Little  Pond  (adjacent),  containing  3.47  acres,  in  Woburn. 

Mystic  Pond,                          "  227.89     "      in  Medford. 

Spy  Pond,                               "  124.34     "      West  Cambridge. 

Little  Pond  (adjacent),          "  16.23     "      West  Cambridge. 

Fresh  Pond,                            «  180.57     "      Cambridge. 

"  By  raising  a  dam  where  the  Middlesex  Canal  crosses  Mystic  River,  the 
■whole  of  the  ponds  above  enumerated  might  be  united.  But  the  results  of  the 
surveys  and  examinations  have  proved  that  the  quantity  of  water  in  Mystic 
Pond  alone  is  so  great  as  never  to  render  it  necessary  to  resort  to  either  of 
the  others." 

Of  Spot  Pond,  he  says,  after  giving  his  calculations :  "  I  shall  therefore 
feel  safe  in  estimating  this  pond  capable  of  supplying,  on  the  average,  from 
2,500,000  to  3,000,000  gallons  per  day."  Mystic  Pond  he  estimates  at 
12,960,000  gallons  per  day. 

"  By  an  examination  of  a  map  of  Boston,  it  will  be  found  that  about  one- 
fifth  of  the  city  lies  above  a  horizontal  plane,  twenty  feet  above  the  highest  tides ; 
and  the  remaining  four-fifths  or  principal  part  of  the  city,  is  below  this  plane. 
The  portion  above  I  shall  denominate,  for  the  purpose  of  discrimination,  high 
service,  and  the  other  low  service. 

"  It  is  evident  from  the  present  density  of  buildings  on  the  high  service,  that  it 
can  never  increase  to  a  much  greater  extent,  and  that  all  future  increase  in 
buildings  and  population  must  be  in  the  portion  termed  low  service" 

His  Report  then  gives  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  raising  water  for  the  high, 
and  for  the  low  service,  and  treats  of  the  mode  of  introducing  water  from  Spot 
and  from  Mystic  Pond,  with  an  estim^ate  of  cost  of  each,  without  the  cost  of 
pipes  and  other  requisites  for  distribution.  From  Spot  Pond  he  estimates  the 
cost  at  $388,747.76.  From  Mystic  Pond  at  $218,130.00.  To  which  latter 
sum  is  to  be  added  $175,200,  as  the  expense  of  supplying  3,000,000  gallons 
a  day  by  pumping,  which  would  be  required  to  supply  the  high  service. 


The  30th  of  June,  the  last  named  Committee  made  their  Report.  (City 
Document  No.  7,  for  1836.)  A  majority  of  the  Committee  were  of  the  opinion, 
"  That  the  city  in  its  corporate  capacity  ought  not  to  embark  in  this  enterprise, 
but  that  it  should  be  left  to  individuals  alone,  or  to  individuals  in  connection 
with  the  city."  A  minority  were  of  a  different  opinion,  "believing  that  so 
great  and  beneficial  were  the  objects  proposed,  that  the  public  welfare 
demanded  certainty  and  despatch  in  the  execution  of  the  business." 


1836.]  17 

The  Committee  finish  their  Report  by  recommending  the  adoption  of  the 
following  Resolves : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  City  Council  to  give  their  assent  to 
the  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  on  the  16th  of  April,  1836,  incorporating  the 
Boston  Hydraulic  Company. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  city  to  subscribe  for  one-third  of  the 
stock  in  the  Boston  Hydraulic  Company,  under  such  restrictions  and  limita- 
tions as  the  City  Council  may  hereafter  prescribe. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  printed  copies  of  the  Report  of  Mr.  R.  H.  Eddy,  be 
distributed  as  follows :  to  each  member  of  the  City  Council,  ten  copies,  and 
the  remaining  copies  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen." 

The  first  resolve  passed  with  the  following  amendment  to  the  first  line : 
"  That  the  assent  of  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston  be  and  is  hereby 
given  and  declared  to  an  act,  etc."  The  second  was  rejected,  and  the  third 
accepted. 

July  25th,  an  appropriation  of  $4,000  was  made  to  pay  the  expenses 
incurred  by  the  committee  for  survey,  etc. 

August  16th,  a  Public  Meeting  upon  the  subject  of  the  introduction  of 
Water,  was  held  in  Faneuil  Hall,  at  which  the  Mayor  presided.  After  con- 
siderable discussion.  Dr.  J.  B.  Flint  offered  a  series  of  Resolutions,  which  were 
referred  to  a  Committee  to  report  at  an  adjourned  meeting  to  be  held  at  the 
same  place  on  the  22  nd  inst. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting  on  the  22 d  August,  the  following  Resolutions 
were  reported  by  the  committee,  and  adopted  by  a  vote  of  2,107  to  136. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  right  and  expedient,  for  the  City  in  its  corporate  capa- 
city, with  its  own  means  and  credit,  to  undertake  and  prosecute  to  a  speedy 
consummation,  the  most  favorable  project,  for  the  introduction  and  distribu- 
tion of  pure  soft  water,  in  sufficient  quantity  to  answer  all  the  domestic  and 
public  purposes  for  which  it  may  be  required. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  object  in  view  can  only  be  obtained  in  an  economical 
and  satisfactory  manner,  by  an  establishment  of  a  Board  of  Commissioners, 
who  shall  hold  their  office  by  a  permanent  tenure,  and  whose  duty  it  shall  be, 
to  devise  and  execute  the  best  mode  of  affecting  said  object,  having  reference 
to  the  quality  and  quantity  of  water  to  be  obtained,  and  the  expense  to  be 
incurred ;  to  borrow,  on  the  credit  of  the  City,  the  funds  required  for  the 
purpose ;  to  collect  the  revenue  which  may  accrue  from  the  work,  and  appro- 
priate the  same  to  the  extinction  of  the  debt  which  shall  be  created ;  subject 
to  such  regulations  and  restrictions  as  the  City  Council  shall  impose,  in  the 
ordinance  establishing  said  Board. 

3 


18  [1836. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  city  authorities,  to  establish  a 
Board  of  CoimissiONERS,  consisting  of  three  able  and  discreet  persons,  who 
shall  not  be  removed  from  office,  except  by  a  vote  of  at  least  two-thirds  of 
each  branch  of  the  City  Council. 

''  Resolved,  That  the  City  Council  bo  requested  to  apply  to  the  Legislature,  at 
its  next  session,  for  the  necessary  authority  to  carry  into  effect  the  preceding 
resolutions." 

These  Resolutions  were  communicated  to  the  City  Council  by  the  Mayor, 
September  5th,  and  were  referred  to  a  Committee,  as  was  also  the  follow- 
ing Memorial,  concerning  Jamaica  Pond,  presented  to  them  August  20th. 

"  To  the  31ayor  and  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  Boston: 

"  The  Memorial  of  the  Boston  Aqueduct  Corporation  respectfully  repre- 
sents that  your  Memorialists  have,  for  many  years,  supplied  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  city  with  pure  and  soft  water  ;  that,  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the 
increased  demands  of  the  citizens,  your  memorialists  have  long  since  caused 
surveys  and  estimates  to  be  made,  by  Loammi  Baldwin,  Esq.,  whose  Eeport  has 
been  before  the  City  Government ;  and  by  which  it  appears  that  an  additional 
expenditure  of  money,  and  a  more  judicious  and  skilful  employment  of  their 
present  j)owers,  will  enable  your  memorialists  to  supply  the  city  with  "  ten  times" 
the  quantity  of  water  furnished  at  present,  and  at  any  point  of  elevation,  when  it 
may  be  reasonably  required  ;  that  your  memorialists  have  been  restrained  from 
the  requisite  extension  of  the  works,  and  the  necessary  investment  of  money  for 
that  end,  by  an  apprehension  that  the  City  Government,  urged  by  a  strong 
popular  feeling,  might,  at  some  time,  cease  any  longer  to  permit  the  provision 
of  pure  water  to  remain  in  the  hands  of  private  corporations,  as  in  London,  and 
elsewhere,  where  it  is  supposed,  that,  by  the  competition  of  such  corporations, 
the  public  is  likely  to  be  the  better  served. 

"  In  connection  with  the  present  exhibition  of  popular  feeling  and  opinion  on 
this  subject,  your  memorialists  have  thought  proper  to  state  to  the  City  Govern- 
ment, in  a  formal  manner,  their  perfect  willingness  to  extend  their  works  agreeably 
to  Mr.  Baldwin's  suggestion,  upon  any  reasonable  assurance,  if  such  can  consis- 
tently be  given,  that  your  memorialists  will  have  no  reason  to  fear  any  more 
formidable  competition  than  that  of  a  private  corporation.  On  the  other  hand, 
should  the  City  of  Boston  decide,  that  it  will  furnish  a  supply  of  pure  water  to 
the  citizens,  itself,  your  memorialists  hereby  tender  their  water  works  to  the  city, 
for  a  reasonable  compensation. 

"  The  books  and  records  of  the  company  are  open  for  the  examination  of  the 
Cit}'^  Government." 

This  was  signed  by  the  officers  of  the  corporation. 


1836.]  19 

December  19th,  The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  Eesolutions 
^  passed  at  the  General  Meeting  before  referred  to,  and  also  the  Memorial  of 
H  the  Boston  Aqueduct  Corporation,  made  their  Report  in  which  thej  say, 
"  That  the  powers  necessary  and  indispensable  to  the  attainment  of  the  objects 
proposed  in  the  Resolutions,  can  only  be  obtained  from  the  Leu'islature  of  the 
Commonwealth,  and  as  there  has  been  no  session  of  that  body  since  their 
adoption,  of  course  nothing  has  been  done ;  but  they  recommend  that  these 
Resolutions  be  referred  to  the  early  attention  of  the  next  City  Council." 

Of  the  Memorial  of  the  Boston  Aqueduct  Corporation,  which  was  referred 
to  them,  they  say :  "  That  the  utmost  frankness  and  candor  were  manifested  by 
the  officers  of  this  Corporation  in  all  their  interviews  and  correspondence  with 
the  committee."  "  That  since  the  appointment  of  this  committee,  several  suc- 
cessful efforts  to  obtain  water  of  good  quality  and  in  much  abundance  have 
been  made  on  the  principle  of  Artesian  wells,  and  from  the  success  that  has 
attended  these  efforts,  they  recommend  that  the  expediency  of  making  an 
experiment  at  the  charge  of  the  city,  be  referred  to  the  next  City  Council." 
After  alluding  to  the  various  sources  relied  upon  as  likely  to  afford  a  supply 
of  water  for  the  city,  which  they  name  as  the  Framingham  Ponds,  Spot  Pond, 
Jamaica  Pond,  and  wells  on  the  Artesian  principle,  they  say :  that  "  the  sub- 
ject is  of  great  importance,  and  it  is  their  belief,  that  a  vast  majority  of  the 
inhabitants  are  in  favor  of  the  introduction  of  water ;  that  they  have  done  all 
in  their  power  to  facilitate  the  accomplishment  of  the  object";  and  they  then 
recommend  a  reference  of  the  whole  subject  to  the  next  City  Council. 


[1837. 


CHAPTER     III. 

1837. 

First  Standing  Committee  on  Water  chosen  —  Artesian  Wells  —  Daniel  Treadwell,  James 
F.  Baldwin,  F.  C.  Lowell,  and  Nathan  Hale,  appointed  Commissioners  —  Land  for  a 
Reservoir  — Application  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  — Rooms  for  Commissioners  — 
Appointment  of,  and  ordinance  relating  to,  the  Commissioners  —  Fourth  appropriation 
made  — Report  of  the  Commissioners  —  James  F.  Baldwin's  communication  —  May oi 
Eliot's  letter  to  Messrs.  Treadwell  and  Hale  — Their  reply. 

On  January  16th,  1837,  the  first  Standing  Committee  on  Water  was 
chosen  by  the  City  Government;  the  Mayor,  Samuel  A.  Eliot,  being  its 
chairman. 

On  the  23(i  of  January,  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water,  were  instructed 
to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  constructing  one  or  more  Artesian  wells 
and  of  the  expense  of  the  same ;  they  were  also  "  authorized  to  appoint  three 
Commissioners  to  investigate,  and  report  as  to  the  means  for  a  supply  of 
water." 

February  24th,  the  Standing  Committee  asked  leave  to  purchase  land  for  a 
reservoir  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $150,000,  which  was  granted;  but  no  land 
was  then  purchased. 

On  the  2  7th  of  February,  the  Mayor  was  requested  to  make  application  to 
the  Legislature,  for  an  Act,  to  enable  the  city  to  obtain  a  supply  within  twelve 
miles  of  Boston. 

On  March  1 6th,  the  City  Government  passed  the  following  Order,  "  that  the 
power  heretofore  given  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  the  introduction  of 
water  into  the  city,  to  remove  at  their  pleasure  such  Commissioners  as  might 
be  appointed  on  the  subject  of  introducing  a  supply  of  water,  for  the  use  of  the 
city  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  revoked.  And  that  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
for  the  use  of  the  citizens  a  supply  of  pure  water,  three  Commissioners  shall 
be  appointed,  in  the  manner  heretofore  ordered  by  the  City  Council,  who  shall 


1837.]  21 

hold  their  offices  till  removed  by  a  concurrent  vote  of  the  City  Council ;  and 
each  of  said  Commissioners  shall  receive  for  his  services  at  the  rate  of  eight 
dollars  a  day,  for  all  the  time  employed  by  him  in  inquiries,  investigations,  or 
calculations  connected  with  the  duties  assigned  to  him,  and  also  all  necessary 
travelling  expenses.  And  said  Commissioners  shall  proceed  forthwith  to  exam- 
ine the  source  from  which  such  supply  can  be  obtained,  and  the  best  means  of 
introducing  and  distributing  the  same,  and  make  a  detailed  report  to  the  City 
Council,  through  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water,  of  their  proceedings, 
specifying  the  plan  which  they  deem  it  expedient  for  the  city  to  adopt,  with 
particular  estimates  of  the  cost ;  and  they  shall  appoint  -such  Engineers,  and 
Agents,  and  incur,  on  account  of  the  city,  all  such  expenses,  as  they  may 
deem  necessary  for,  or  concerning  the  object  of  their  appointment,  under  such 
appropriations  as  the  City  Council  may  see  fit  to  make. 

"  And  further,  that  whenever  the  plan  shall  be  reported  by  said  Commission- 
ers, and  be  approved  and  adopted  by  the  City  Council,  said  Commissioners  shall 
proceed  to  carry  the  same  into  execution,  and  for  this  purpose  they  shall,  in 
the  name  and  behalf  of  the  city,  make  all  contracts  and  bargains  they  may 
deem  necessary,  and  they  shall  report  their  proceedings  once  every  three 
months  to  the  City  Council,  through  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water ;  and 
their  proceedings  shall,  at  all  times,  be  open  to  the  examination  of  the  Mayor 
and  either  branch  of  the  City  Government,  or  to  a  committee  of  either,  author- 
ized to  make  such  examination. 

"  And  they  shall,  from  time  to  time,  make  representations  to  the  City  Coun- 
cil of  the  necessity  for  appropriations,  and  of  the  sums  required  for  the 
regular  continuance  and  successful  completion  of  the  work  assigned  to  them." 

This  Order  was  passed  by  the  City  Council  March  20th. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  under  the  Orders  above  named,  were 
Messrs.  Daniel  Treadwell,  James  F.  Baldwin  and  Francis  C.  Lowell:  the 
latter  resigned,  and  Nathan  Hale  was  appointed. 

May  1st,  the  Commissioners  asked  of  the  City  Council  an  appropriation 
for  expenses ;  this  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water,  who 
reported  on  the  29th  that  a  sum  not  exceeding  $10,000  be  appropriated 
to  meet  the  expenses ;  and  an  order  to  that  effect  was  passed. 

November  23d,  the  Commissioners  made  their  Report,  covering  forty-five 
pages,  —  See  No.  24  of  City  Document  for  1837,  —  from  which  we  make  the 
following  abstract :  "  Their  first  object  was  to  determine  the  quantity  of  water 
requii-ed,  in  which  they  found  considerable  difficulty,  on  account  of  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  data  for  computing  the  average  quantity  of  water  required  by  ea^ li 


22  [1837. 

family,  as  it  varied  according  to  the  habits  of  the  people  in  different  cities,         / 
and  also  on  account  of  the  rapid  increase,  though  at  unequal  rates,  in  the  \ 

population  of  Boston. 

"  It  is  the  common  opinion  among  those  who  use  wells  and  cisterns,  that  j 
eighty  gallons  a  day  for  each  family  are  sufficient  for  all  domestic  uses,  but 
where  water  works  are  established,  it  will  be  found  that  a  larger  quantity  is 
used;  thus,  in  London  the  average  is  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  gallons 
to  each  tenant  daily;  in  Philadelphia  one  hundred  and  sixty  gallons;  this 
includes,  however,  in  both  cases,  the  water  used  for  watering  streets,  extin- 
guishing fires,  and  for  all  other  purposes.  The  London  supply  is  equal  to 
twenty-seven  and  three-quarters  gallons,  and  the  Philadelphia  twenty-eight 
and  one-half  gallons,  to  each  inhabitant,  therefore  to  make  the  supply  of 
Boston  equal  to  that  of  London,  according  to  its  inhabitants,  would  require 
2,220,000  gallons. 

"The  population  of  this  city,  now  (A.  D.  1837)  80,000,  has  doubled  within 
the  last  twenty  years  ;  the  last  seven  years,  the  increase  has  even  been  more 
rapid  than  any  preceding  period  of  the  same  duration.  We  may  fairly  antici- 
pate that  in  five  years  from  the  present  time,  the  population  will  be  87,000, 
which  will  require  2,500,000  gallons  daily,  and  at  the  end  of  ten  years,  the 
population  being  taken  at  105,000,  will  require  3,000,000  gallons  daily. 

"  With  these  views,  we  have  provided  in  our  designs  for  an  immediate  supply 
of  1,600,000  gallons  daily,  to  be  extended  in  five  years  to  2,500,000,  and  at 
the  end  of  ten  years  to  3,000,000  gallons  daily," 

Of  Artesian  wells,  they  say :  "  It  does  not  appear  important  to  us  to  enter 
upon  the  question  of  the  possibility  of  obtaining  2,000,000  gallons  of  water 
daily,  from  any  number  of  wells  of  this  kind,  because  if  it  could  be  so  obtained, 
even  from  so  small  a  number  as  twenty  of  these  wells,  the  difficulty  and  cost 
of  raising  and  distributing  it  to  the  inhabitants,  must  be  greater  than  that 
which  will  be  incurred,  by  bringing  purer  water  from  any  of  the  neighboring 
ponds  or  rivers,  and  distributing  it  by  the  same  means  to  the  citizens. 

"  The  following  table  shows  the  sources  examined  : 

Names  of  Ponds  &  Rivers.         Situated  in.        Acres  in  Area.    Feet  above  high  water.    Miles  from  State  House. 

Spot  Stoneham  283  143.01                              8 

Reading  South  Reading  276     about    50.  12 

Horn  &  Wedge  Woburn  123  10 

Mystic  Medford  228  7 

Spy  and  Little  West  Cambridge  140  6 

Fresh  Cambridge  180  5 

Waltham  Waltham  52  189.67                          11 


1837.] 

23 

irames  of  Ponds  &  Rivers. 

Sandy 

Situated  in.        Acres 

in  Area. 

Feet  above  high  water. 

Miles  from  State  B 

Lincoln 

152 

219.95 

15 

I                 Morse's 

Needham 

20 

109. 

15 

j                Ballard's 

(( 

35 

101.64 

15 

Long 

Natick 

600 

123.52 

18 

Farm 

Framingham 

193 

144.98 

21 

Shakam 

(( 

89 

150.62 

22 

Farm 

Sherburne 

160 

19 

Baptist 

Newton 

33 

138.99 

9 

Punkapog 

Canton 

217 

144.77 

13 

Massapog 

Sharon 

22 

Great  Pond 

Weymouth 

20 

Charles  River 

Neponset  Eiver 

"  Of  the  above,  Spy  Pond,  Waltham  Pond,  Sandy  Pond,  Morse's  Pond, 
Ballard's  Pond,  Farm  Pond  in  Framingham,  Shakum  Pond,  Farm  Pond  in 
Sherburne,  and  Baptist  Pond,  were  at  once  considered  insufficient  for  a 
supply ;  while  Massapog  Pond  is  too  distant,  compared  with  other  sources ; 
and  Reading  Pond  on  account  of  its  distance,  combined  with  want  of  elevation, 
also  Weymouth  Great  Pond,  on  account  of  its  distance  and  the  dark  color  of 
its  water,  were  set  aside;  and  upon  further  examination,  all  were  rejected 
except  Spot  Pond,  Long  Pond,  Mystic  Pond,  and  Charles  River.  The 
first  two  being  preferable  to  all  others  as  not  requiring  elevation  by  artificial 
means,  and  the  last  two  as  preferable  to  all  others,  if  such  means  are  to  be 
resorted  to." 

They  then  describe  each  separately,  giving  the  estimated  Discharge,  on  an 
average,  per  day,  as  follows :  Spot  Pond,  2,100,000  gallons,  and  from  Long 
Pond  8,743,680  gallons. 

They  also  give  Dr.  A.  A.  Hayes'  Analyses  of  the  water  from  the  several 
ponds  and  rivers;  the  most  transparent  being  Spot  Pond;  second.  Long 
Pond ;  third.  Mystic  Pond ;  fourth,  Charles  River.  There  was  no  marked  dif- 
ference in  taste,  all  being  nearly  insipid. 

They  give  the  Route  and  manner  of  Construction  of  each  of  Four 
Plans,  with  detailed  estimates  of  the  Cost  of  each,  which  they  make  as 
follows,  includiug  distribution. 


First  Plan 
Second  Plan 
Third  Plan 
Fourth  Plan 


Charles  River, 
Mystic  Pond, 
Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds, 
Long  Pond, 


$M28,872 
1,527,414 
1,507,560 
1,775,848 


24  1837.] 

Thev  then  say :  "  As  the  second  plan  is  certainly  not  superior  to  the  third, 
and  as  the  execution  will  require  a  greater  expense  than  the  third,  we  are  of 
opinion  that  it  ought  not  to  be  adopted.  By  adopting  the  first  plan  in  prefer- 
ence to  the  third,  a  saving  of  $80,000  would  be  effected,  but  as  the  constancy 
of  the  supply  in  this  plan  depends  upon  the  operation  of  machinery,  which 
always  implies  some  shade  of  uncertainty,  and  taking  into  consideration  the 
better  quality  of  the  waters  of  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds,  we  are  of  the  opinion 
that  the  first  plan,  founded  on  Charles  River  as  a  source,  ought  not  to  be 
adopted." 

In  comparing  the  two  remaining  sources  with  each  other,  they  estimate 
"That  the  Long  Pond  plan  will  cost  $268,288  more  than  that  of  Spot  and 
Mystic  Ponds  j  the  quantity  of  water  brought  into  the  city,  by  the  works  pro- 
vided in  either  plan,  for  the  first  ten  years  being  nearly  the  same.  To  this 
should  be  added  the  interest  at  five  per  cent,  on  the  excess  of  cost,  and  the 
expense  of  a  new  main  that  would  be  required  to  obtain  additional  supply ; 
which  will  make  the  total  cost  to  the  city  $626,159.  From  which  should  be 
deducted  the  expense  of  increasing  the  supply  from  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds, 
which  they  estimate  at  $508,857,  making  a  difference  at  the  end  of  20  years, 
in  favor  of  the  Third,  or  Spot  and  Mystic  Pond  Plan,  of  $117,302.  " 

On  a  full  review  of  this  comparison,  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners  are 
of  opinion  "  That  it  will  be  expedient  for  the  city  to  adopt  the  Third  plan 
herein  proposed," 

Mr.  James  F.  Baldwin,  the  other  commissioner,  likewise  sent  at  the  same 
time  a  communication  to  the  committee,  in  which  he  gives  his  objections  to 
the  plan  proposed  by  Messrs.  Treadwell  and  Hale. 

In  the  first  place,  he  "  objects  to  the  plan  of  pumping  up  water,  in  whole 
or  in  part,  for  the  supply  of  the  city,  as  it  would  entail  forever  on  the  city  the 
care,  trouble  and  expense  of  maintaining  this  power,  and  of  supporting  per- 
petually an  establislunent  for  carrying  on  its  operations.  Another  reason  for 
rejecting  this  mode  of  raising  water  is  the  necessity  the  city  will  always  be 
under,  of  maintaining  the  fires,  which  must  never  go  out,  by  sea-borne  coal,  a 
supply  of  which  may  be  interrupted  or  entirely  cut  off  by  the  act  of  our  own 
government,  or  the  interference  of  foreign  powers ;  and  that  in  seasons  of 
scarcity,  in  providing  for  the  wants  of  this  establishment,  burdens  may  be 
imposed  on  the  citizens,  by  enhancing  the  price  of  such  fuel  as  may  be  neces- 
sary for  their  ordinary  consumption.  He  also  objects  to  Mystic  Pond  as  a 
source  of  supply,  as  the  pond  lies  below  the  level  of  high  tide ;  the  tides  now 
flow  into  and  out  of  the  pond ;  and  a  dam  across  the  outlet  must  be  erected, 
to  shut  out  the  tide  waters,  and  retain  the  fresh.     The  effect  of  building  such 


1-837.]  25 

a  dam,  will  be  in  my  opinion,  to  fill  up,  in  some  degree,  the  channel  of  the 
river,  and  produce  serious  consequences  to  the  inhabitants  of  Medford ;  who 
would,  I  think,  successfully  resist  any  application,  made  by  the  Legislature,  for 
authority  to  establish  it.  "  He  also  objects  to  the  color  and  character  of  the 
water  which  composes  this  source. 

In  regard  to  the  excess  of  cost  he  says  "  What  are  ten  or  eleven  years,  or 
what  are  $117,000,  in  a  work  of  this  description?  Population  is  increasing, 
and  will  continue  to  increase  whether  the  work  goes  on  now  or  not ;  and  if 
we  go  on  in  this  piece-meal  way,  we  shall  ever  be  at  work,  and  never  fully 
satisfy  the  wants  of  the  citizens.  "  He  concludes  his  Report  in  the  language 
of  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Fairmount  Water  Works  of  Philadelphia  j  "  If 
you  can  get  water  without  pumping  it,  I  advise  you  to  do  it^ 

December  1st,  Mayor  Eliot  sent  the  following  note  to  Messrs.  Tread  well 
and  Hale : 

"  Gentlemen, 

Mr.    Baldwin,   who   has   been   associated   with   you    in    the    Commission 

on  the  Introduction  of  Water,  has  sent  me  some   objections   to   the   plan 

approved  by  you.     As  I  see  no  particular  reference  to  these  objections  in 

the  Report,  I  send  you  the  communication  that  you  may  have  an  opportunity 

to  present  to  the  City  Council  any  remarks  that  you  may  think  it  expedient 

to  make. 

Respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

(Signed)  Sam'l  A.  Eliot." 

On  the  8th  of  December,  Messrs.  Treadwell  and  Hale  made  their  Reply,  in 
which  they  state,  "  That  as  to  the  first  objection  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  in  regard  to 
pumping,  and  the  expense  and  care  it  would  require  if  this  mode  of  supply 
was  adopted,  they  estimate  the  expense  would  not  exceed  $2,000  a  year.  Mr. 
Baldwin's  objection,  therefore,  goes  only  to  one  of  the  items  of  cost  in  the 
plan  recommended  by  them,  which,  after  having  been  fairly  discussed,  and 
appraised  in  the  report,  was  found  to  be  of  inconsiderable  weight."  Their 
answer  to  the  next  objection,  of  the  necessity  of  providing  a  supply  of  fuel, 
is  the  same  as  the  last,  which  is,  "  that,  according  to  their  best  judgment,  it 
weighs  just  $1,790  a  year,  and  to  this  extent  it  is  to  be  taken  against  the  plan 
recommended,  but  no  farther."  The  next  objection  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  that  the 
city  would  be  under  the  necessity  of  maintaining  fires  that  must  never  go  out, 
they  say,  "  that  during  the  first  ten  years,  it  is  shown  that  the  engine  will  be 
required  to  raise  390,000  gallons  of  water  a  day,  or  142,350,000  gallons  a 
4 


26  1837.] 

year."  The  report  and  estimate  expressly  state  that  the  engine  is  calculated 
to  raise  2,500,000  gallons  in  20  hours,  or  1,095,000,000  gallons  a  year.  If 
therefore  it  is  kept  at  work  1,138  hours,  or  48  days  in  any  part  of  a  year,  the 
supply  will  be  maintained.  It  is  not  true  then,  that  the  fires  must  be  always 
maintained,  unless  "always"  be  taken  as  equivalent  to  one-seventh  part  of  the 
time.  Of  the  next  objection,  being  obliged  to  use  sea-borne  coal,  and  the  dif- 
ficulties that  might  arise  therefrom,  they  say :  "  They  did  calculate  that  the 
engines  would  be  kept  in  operation  by  the  use  of  coal,  but  that  Mr.  Baldwin 
well  knows  that  steam  may  be  formed  by  the  heat  of  a  wood  fire,  as  effectually 
as  by  that  of  coal;  and  as  to  the  advance  of  the  price  of  coal  occasioned 
by  the  extent  of  our  demand  in  the  market,  they  refer  to  the  coal  merchants 
to  decide  how  much  the  price  is  afiected,  by  an  extra  demand  of  1  or  200 
chaldrons  a  year." 

Of  Mr.  Baldwin's  objection  to  Mystic  Pond,  as  being  below  the  level  of 
high  tides,  and  thus  requiring  a  dam  to  be  erected,  and  of  the  effect  of  building 
such  a  dam,  they  say :  "  We  look  in  vain  through  the  foregoing  statement  for 
anything  which  affects  the  quality  of  the  water  of  Mystic  Pond,  or  the  security, 
cost,  or  abundance  of  supply.  In  regard  to  the  construction  of  a  dam,  they 
say:  "That  as  the  Legislature  specially  granted  in  the  year  1836  to  the 
Boston  Hydraulic  Company  the  right  to  build  dams  at  the  outlet  of  any 
pond  within  twelve  miles  of  the  city,  and  that  company  has  never  taken 
possession  of  these  rights,  surely  the  Legislature  will  not  now  deny  to  the 
City  of  Boston,  the  same  privileges  which  were  then  granted  to  a  private 
company." 

As  to  the  color  and  character  of  the  water,  they  say :  "  We  need  not  repeat 
that  the  analysis  shows  the  water  to  be  more  pure  than  that  of  Long  Pond." 

They  state:  "The  difference  in  cost,  being  $268,288,  in  our  opinion 
deserved,  and  it  received  our  attention,  and  had  its  due  influence  upon  us, 
though. by  no  means  paramount,  or  indeed  equal  to  that  produced  by  our 
greater  confidence  that  the  supply  by  the  plan  recommended,  will  not  be 
subject  to  interruption  by  any  event  which  seems  to  us  in  the  least  degree 
likely  to  happen."  (City  Documents  on  subject  of  Water  for  the  year  1837, 
Nos.  1.  9;  24.) 


1838.] 


CHAPTEE    IV. 

1838. 

Mayor  Eliot's  Address  —  Instructions  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  and  their  Eeport — L.  M. 
Sargent's  Reply  to  questions  proposed  to  him  —  Petitions  for  and  against  the  introduc- 
tion of  Water  —  R.  H.  Eddy's  communication  —  Resolutions  passed  by  the  City  Council 
—  Vote  of  the  citizens  —  Application  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  —  Report  of  the 
Committee  on  Water  —  Revised  estimates  of  the  Commissioners. 

Mayor  Eliot,  in  Ms  Inaugural  Address  to  the  City  Council  on  January  1st, 
1838,  says :  "  Of  the  subjects  which  will  require  the  action  of  the  City  Council 
the  present  year,  the  introduction  of  an  abundant  supply  of  water  is  the  most 
interesting  and  important.  Every  year  adds  to  its  importance,  as  every  year 
diminishes  the  number  and  value  of  the  available  resources  of  the  city  within 
its  limits. 

"Springs  fail,  or  the  water  from  them  becomes  impure;  and  the  supply  of 
rain  water  is  more  and  more  affected  by  the  increased  consumption  of  bitumi- 
nous coal,  and  other  causes  of  impurity.  The  appointment  by  the  last  Council, 
of  Commissioners,  men  of  science  and  practical  skill,  to  examine  all  sources  of 
supply,  and  to  recommend  such  a  plan  as  appeared  to  them  most  expedient,  at 
such  a  cost  as  they  might  think  within  practicable  limits,  has  resulted  in  the 
presenting  of  an  interesting  and  elaborate  Report,  which  goes  over  the'  whole 
ground,  and  will  enable  the  City  Council  to  determine  on  the  expediency  of 
commencing  the  work,  and  to  decide  on  the  best  of  the  numerous  sources  of 
supply.  Important  progress  has  thus  been  made  towards  bringing  the 
lengthened  discussion  on  this  subject  to  a  close. 

"  No  previous  report  has  been  so  comprehensive,  nor  has  any  plan  been 
heretofore  recommended  by  stronger  argument  or  higher  authority.  I  esteem 
it  of  much  importance  to  the  best  interests  of  the  city,  that  this  work  should  be 
speedily  commenced  and  vigorously  prosecuted.  A  sufficient  supply  of  good 
water  is  indispensable  to  the  existence  of  any  city ;  and  if  the  experience  of  a 
few  years  past  is  any  guide  to  what  may  be  expected  in  the  future,  it  will  not 


28  [1838. 

be  long  before  the  supply  derived  from  "wells  within  the  city  will  be  inadequate 
to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  inhabitants.  Before  that  time  arrives,  it  appears 
to  me  the  obvious  dictate  of  common  prudence,  to  provide  the  means  of  supply- 
ing the  deficiency.  The  expense  of  the  operation  is  usually  regarded  as  the 
great  objection  to  it,  but  I  entertain  no  doubt  that  the  interest  of  the  money 
nvested  in  the  necessary  works,  and  the  cost  of  all  repairs,  would  be  repaid 
to  the  city  by  those  who  would  use  the  water. 

"  A  private  corporation  has,  for  several  years,  been  ready  to  undertake  the 
work,  on  their  own  account,  if  they  could  obtain  permission.  This  permission, 
the  City  has  never  been  willing  to  give ;  and  it  would  be  no  more  than  justice 
to  the  large  number  of  inhabitants  who  desire  it,  to  try  an  experiment,  which 
there  is  so  much  reason  to  believe  would  be  crowned  with  success,  and  the 
neglect  of  which,  may  cause  so  much  injury  to  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. The  enhanced  value  of  the  city  property,  consisting  of  lands  so 
situated  that  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  water,  which  would  be  the  consequence 
of  abundant  supply,  would  probably  do  much  towards  repaying  the  cost ;  while 
the  additional  security  from  fire,  and  the  increased  comfort  and  health  of 
every  individual  inhabitant,  seem  to  leave  no  motive  wanting  for  undertaking 
the  enterprise." 

On  the  5th  of  January,  the  Standing  Committee  on  "Water  were  instructed 
to  ascertain  if  it  would  be  necessary  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  power  to 
construct  works  on  either  plan  proposed  by  the  Commissioners ;  whose  Report 
was  also  referred  to  said  committee,  with  instructions  to  have  7,500  copies 
printed  and  distributed  among  the  inhabitants. 

On  the  29th  of  the  same  month,  the  Water  Committee  made  a  long  Report, 
recommending  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds  as  the  best  source  for  a  supply ;  and 
that  it  would  be  necessary  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  power  to  construct 
the  works ;  but  no  action  was  taken  thereon. 

One  of  the  committee  wrote  to  Mr.  L.  M.  Sargent,  a  Director  of  the  Boston 
Aqueduct  Corporation,  on  February  16th,  asking  him  several  questions,  to 
which  he  replied  on  the  21st  inst.,  as  follows:  "That  the  Boston  Aqueduct 
Corporation  was  incorporated  A.  D.,  1795.  That  its  capital,  as  far  as  can  be 
ascertained  is  $130,000,  divided  into  100  shares.  That  the  present  market 
value  is  from  |500  to  $600  per  share,  perhaps  less.  That  there  was  no 
dividend  for  the  first  ten  years.  That  the  average  dividend  for  the  next  thirty 
years,  was  a  fraction  less  than  four  per  centum  per  annum,  on  the  par  value  of 
$1,300.  That  the  corporation  now  supplies  between  1,400  and  1,500  houses. 
That  according  to  their  best  judgment  they  supply  on  an  average  about  one 


1838.]  29 

dwelling  house  in  every  four  within  its  range.     Mr.  Sargent  then  reviews  at 
some  length  the  report  of  the  Commissioners. 

March  1st,  Mr.  J.  T.  Austin  submitted  to  the  Common  Council  extracts 
from  the  minutes  of  evidence  taken  and  papers  laid  before  the  select  committee 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  the  Commissioners  on  the  supply  of  water  to 
the  city  of  London,  England,  in  the  years  1821,  182S,  and  1834,  covering 
twelve  pages.  These,  with  the  above  mentioned  letter  of  Mr.  Sargent,  were 
ordered  to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  council,  and  were  afterwards  referred 
to  the  Committee  on  "Water ;  but  as  nothing  applicable  to  the  present  works 
is  contained  therein,  we  make  no  extracts  therefrom.  (See  City  Water  Doc- 
ument No.  9,  of  the  year  1838.) 


At  this  time,  it  seemed  as  if  the  entire  population  of  Boston  was  aroused  on 
the  subject. 

To  give  some  idea  of  the  public  feeling,  we  annex  the  following  Petitions 
sent  to  the  Common  Council,  March  1st,  1838  : 

PETITIONS  IN  FAVOR  OF  THE  INTRODUCTION. 

No.  I. 

To  the  Honorable  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston,  — 

The  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  the  city,  respectfully  represent,  That  in  their 
opilaion  such  is  the  scarcity  of  pure  fresh  water  in  Boston,  and  the  pressing  demand 
for  it  in  every  part  of  the  city,  that  it  is  highly  expedient  for  the  city  to  begin 
and  complete  upon  its  own  account  the  necessary  works  for  the  introduction  of 
a  supply  from  some  one  or  more  of  the  sources  in  the  vicinity,  as  soon  as  the 
necessary  powers  can  be  obtained  from  the  Legislature. 

The  fact  that  there  is  in  our  city  a  great  scarcity  of  this  most  important  neces- 
sary of  life,  your  memorialists  did  not  believe  admitted  of  a  single  doubt ;  nor  did 
they  believe,  after  so  much  has  been  said  by  scientific  and  medical  gentlemen 
upon  this  long  agitated  subject,  and  after  so  many  complaints  as  have  been  and 
are  constantly  being  made  about  the  scarcity  of  water,  and  the  impurity  of  that 
now  in  use,  that  there  could  be  a  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any  person,  at  all  conver- 
sant with  the  matter,  that  the  health,  comfort  and  convenience  of  the  citizens 
generally,  would  be  greatly  promoted  by  the  introduction  of  an  abundant  supply 
of  pure  water  ;  and  it  is  therefore  with  a  great  deal  of  surprise  that  your  memo- 
rialists have  learned  that  a  proposition  for  bringing  about  this  much  desired 
object,  after  having  passed  one  branch  of  the  City  Government  by  a  large  majority, 
is  \4olently  opposed  by  many  members  of  the  other  branch  ;  and  that  the  princi- 


|\, 


30  [1838. 

•  pal  arguments  made  use  of  bj^  these  opponents  are,  that  there  is  ah-eady  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  pure  water  in  the  city,  and  consequently  an  additional  supply 
from  an  external  source,  is  wholly  unnecessary,  either  for  the  present  or  future 
use  of  the  inhabitants  ;  and  that  the  inhabitants  generally,  either  do  not  want  to 
see  the  project  carried  into  effect,  or  take  no  interest  in  it  whatever,  because  they 
have  not  flooded  the  City  Council  with  their  petitions  in  its  favor. 

Now  the  undersigned,  with  all  due  deference  to  the  gentlemen  who  make  use 
of  such  arguments,  beg  leave  to  differ  from  them  in  opinion  ;  they  think  in  regard 
to  the  first  position  assumed  by  them,  "  that  there  is  now  such  an  abundance  of 
water  that  no  more  is  needed,"  is  but  mere  assertion,  unsupported  by  the  facts 
of  the  case,  and  that  an  inquiry  upon  this  point  among  the  citizens  generally,  or 
among  the  inhabitants  of  any  particular  ward,  would  convince  gentlemen  enter- 
taining such  opinions  that  they  are  founded  in  error. 

With  regard  to  the  second  position,  "  that  the  citizens  do  not  approve  of  or 
take  any  interest  in  the  project,  because  they  do  not  petition  in  favor  of  it," 
your  memorialists  have  only  to  observe  that  they  had  believed  such  an  enterprise 
as  that  of  supplying  the  city  with  pure  water  would  be  so  manifestly  for  the 
good  of  the  whole  people  of  the  city  that  no  member  of  the  City  Government 
would  think  of  opposing  it,  and  that  after  the  subject  was  once  fairly  before  the 
Council,  it  would  be  brought  to  a  successful  termination  at  once.  It  is  a  fact, 
known  to  the  citizens  generally,  that  this  subject  has  been  directly  before  the 
City  Council  for  three  or  four  weeks,  and  that  already  more  than  a  fortnight  has 
elapsed  since  it  was  acted  upon  and  passed  with  great  unanimity  by  one  Branch 
of  the  Government,  and  yet  no  remonstrances  have  been  sent  in  against  it. 

This  fact,  in  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned,  is  worthy  of  much  consideration. 
It  shows  most  clearly,  that  there  is  little  or  no  opposition  to  the  measure  on 
the  part  of  the  citizens,  and  denotes  more  strongly  the  feeling  of  the  community 
in  regard  to  it  than  does  the  absence  of  petitions. 

In  conclusion,  the  undersigned  beg  leave  again  to  express  it  as  their  unqualified 
opinion,  that  the  public  good  requires  the  introduction  of  a  supply  of  pure  water  into 
the  city  as  soon  as  the  proper  works  can  be  constructed  ;  and  without  going  into 
the  question  as  to  the  source  of  this  suppl}^  but  leaving  that  to  the  discretion  and 
best  judgment  of  the  City  Council,  they  trust  that  these  works  will  be  com- 
menced and  completed  with  all  possible  despatch. 

Boston,  February  1838.  Signed  by  226  Persons. 

Petition  No.  2. 

The  undersigned,  citizens  of  Boston,  respectfully  petition  The  City  Council,  to 
adopt  such  measures,  as  in  their  wisdom  shall  be  found  expedient  for  the 
immediate  supply  of  good  and  wholesome  water  to  every  portion  of  the  city. 

Signed  by  243  Persons. 


1838.]  31 

Petition  No.  3. 

To  the  Honorable  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston: 

The  undersigned  beg  leave  to  express  the  following  opinions  on  the  introduction 
of  pure  water  into  the  City  for  general  use. 

1.  Convenience,  security,  cleanliness,  health,  and  the  pleasure  of  existence, 
will  be  more  promoted  by  accomplishing  this  object,  than  by  any  other  thing 
which  can  be  done  by  the  exercise  of  the  power  conferred  by  the  citizens  on  the 
Council. 

2.  That  it  is  a  good,  desirable  for  all  alike,  and  will  be  especially  a  blessing 
to  those  who  cannot  have  pure  water,  without  the  same  be  brought  in  by  the  city 
authority,  * 

3.  That  actual  examination  by  competent  men,  has  proved  the  practicability 
of  bringing  in  water,  and  that  nothing  is  needed  but  the  exertion  of  the  Public 
Officers  of  the  city. 

4.  That  the  expense  of  accomplishing  the  object  cannot  be  an  objection, 
because  the  money  necessary  may  be  borrowed,  and  the  product  of  the  invest- 
ment would  not  only  pay  the  interest,  but  maintain  the  works,  and  provide  a 
fund  to  discharge  the  debt. 

Lastly.  Let  the  thing  he  done,  and  done  as  soon  as  by  any  exertion  consistent 
with  prudence  and  reasonable  economy,  is  practicable. 

Signed  by  141  Persons. 
Boston,  February  24th,  1838, 

Petition  No.   4. 
To  the  City  Council  of  Boston : 

The  undersigned,  inhabitants  principally  of  Wards  11  and  12,  feeling  daily  the 
want  of  pure  water  in  their  families  and  workshops,  respectfully  request  of  your 
honorable  body,  that  immediate  measures  be  taken  by  the  City  Government  to 
introduce  that  invaluable  article. 

Signed  by  120  Persons. 
Boston,  February  1838. 

PETITIONS  AGAINST  THE  INTRODUCTION. 

Petition  No.  5, 

To  the  Honorable  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  and  Common  Council  of  the  City  of 

Boston : 

The  Memorial  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  and  tax-payers  of  said  city,  hum- 
bly represents  that  they  are  alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  having  the  debt  of  the  city 
increased  in  a  two  or  three-fold  ratio,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  city  with 
water,  and  this  too  before  any  measures  are  taken  to  ascertain  how  many  families 
and  others  will  take  the  same,  and  pay  annually  for  the  use  of  it,  —  as  your  me- 
morialists doubt  the  willingness  of  citizens  to  incur  the  expense  of  relinquishing 


32  [1838. 

tlaeir  present  good  supply  of  well  and  aqueduct  water  with  which  use  has  long 
made  them  familiar. 

The  Honorable  Mayor  stated  in  his  late  Inaugural  Address,  "  That  a  private 
corporation  has  for  several  years  been  ready  to  undertake  the  work  on  their  own 
account,  if  thej^  could  obtain  pei'mission,"  your  memorialists  therefore  would  more 
deeply  deprecate  the  passage  of  any  act  whereby  the  City  should  engage  to  accom- 
plish this  work  in  their  corporate  capacity,  believing  that  a  private  corporation 
could  perform  it  with  much  less  expense.  The  present  time  does  not,  in  the  opin- 
ion of  3' our  memorialists,  appear  to  be  a  suitable  one  to  increase  the  taxes  or  debt 
of  the  city  ;  this  is  a  time  of  great  commercial  distress.  If  the  debt  of  the  city  is 
increased  two  or  three  millions  of  dollars,  the  interest  at  least  must  be  paid,  and 
that  added  to  the  annual  expenses  of  the  city  without  any  additional  income  abso- 
lutely known  to  exist  to  meet  it,  will  double  the  present  heavy  taxes,  thereby 
creating  a  burthen  on  the  citizens,  which,  under  present  circumstances,  they  are 
ill  able  to  bear. 

For  these  reasons,  your  memorialists  pray  that  the  project  of  bringing  an  addi- 
tional supply  of  water  into  the  city  may  be  gr^inted  to  that  "private  corpora- 
tion, "  which  "  has  for  several  years  been  ready  to  undertake  the  work  ;  "  or  that 
the  City  Council  will,  before  any  further  steps  are  taken  in  this  extensive  under- 
taking, cause  an  accurate  inquiry  to  be  made  throughout  the  city,  and  ascertain 
the  names  of  all  the  citizens  who  are  ready  and  willing  to  pay  annually  for  the 
use  of  the  water,  at  such  rates  as  the  City  Council,  in  their  wisdom,  may  believe 
it  can  be  afforded. 

And  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pra}". 

Signed  by  164  Persons. 

Boston,  February  24,  1838. 

Petition  No.  6. 
To  the  Honorable  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston  ' 

The  subscribers.  Citizens  of  Boston,  do  respectfully  represent,  that  our 
community  have  been  reduced  by  circumstances  beyond  their  control  from  a 
state  of  proud  prosperity  to  a  condition  verging  upon  ruin. 

All  property  is  greatly  reduced  in  value  ;  our  moneyed  institutions  and  public 
confidence  are  paralyzed  ;  much  of  our  floating  taxable  property  lost ;  enterprise 
and  occupation  suspended ;  and  with  no  prospect  of  an  immediate  change  for  the 
better.  Under  these  adverse  circumstances,  it  appears  to  us  that  no  new  project, 
involving  an  increase  of  the  city  debt,  and  an  increase  of  taxation,  ought  to  be 
sustained.  Therefore  they  humbly  pray  that  you  will  restrict  the  expenses  of  our 
city  to  such  objects  as  may  appear  to  be  necessary,  for  the  good  government  and 
health  thereof,  and  in  particular,  that  you  will  defer  all  action  upon  the  project 
for  introducing  fresh  water  into  the  city,  from  neighboring  ponds,  until  more  pros- 
perous times.     We  feel  that  we  ought  to  deny  ourselves  this  luxury  in  common 


1838.]  33 

with  many  others,  until  our  means  will  afford  their  use ;  we  are  now  in  a  dis- 
eased condition  and  unable  to  bear  an  additional  burthen  ;  but  restore  us  to  health 
and  prosperity,  and  we  will  again  jog  on  with  such  burden  as  you  may  please 
to  load  us. 

Signed  by  135  Persons. 

Petition  No.  7. 

To  the  Honorable  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston : 

The  undersigned  having  learned  that  the  City  Government  intend  incurring 
a  debt  of  some  millions  of  dollars,  with  a  view  of  bringing  water  into  the  city, 
for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  inhabitants  therewith,  would  respectfully  suggest 
to  your  Honorable  bodies,  whether  it  would  not  be  a  prudential  step,  first,  to 
ascertain  who  of  our  citizens  want,  and  will  pay  for  the  water,  before  the  same  is 
introduced  and  the  debt  contracted. 

Your  memoi'ialists,  who  have  hereunto  set  their  names,  respectfully  ask  that 
the  project  may  for  the  present  be  suspended,  until  more  information  may  be 
obtained  as  to  who  wants  and  who  will  pay. 

Signed  by  54  Persons. 

Petition  No.  8. 

This  Petition  was  the  same  in  form  as  the  one  before,  numbered  six.  It  was 
SIGNED  BY  168  Persons. 

The  four  petitions,  in  favor  of  the  undertaking,  contain  the  names  of  723, 
and  the  four  in  opposition,  521  persons,  all  citizens  of  Boston,  representing 
every  class  of  society. 

March  1st,  a  communication  covering  twenty-eight  pages,  was  received  from 
R.  H.  Eddy,  Civil  Engineer,  addressed  to  Samuel  A.  Eliot,  Mayor,  chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  Water,  from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts. 

He  says :  "  The  generality  of  persons  seem  either  to  have  lost  sight  of,  or 
to  have  overlooked  the  expense  of  raising  water  by  steam  power.  I  presume 
they  have  assumed  for  their  standard  of  comparison,  the  old  works  at  Fair- 
mount,  Pliiladelphia,  where  engines  and  boilers  ill  adapted  to  the  purpose  were 
used,  consuming  immense  quantities  of  fuel. 

"  As  well  might  we  base  our  calculation  of  the  effective  power  of  a  locomo- 
tive engine  and  railroad  at  the  present  day  on  the  performances  of  the  same 
machine  twenty  years  ago. 

"  Disagreeing  entirely  with  Mr.  Baldwin,  as  to  the  cost  and  propriety  of 
a  supply  from  the  sources  he  recommended,  I  mentioned  my  views  to  your 
predecessor,  and  several  gentlemen  of  the  Water  Committee  of  1835.     The 

5 


34  [1838. 

conversations  with  them  resulted  in  the  Survey  and  Report  which  were  made 
by  me  for  the  City  Government. 

"  The  ideas  of  combining  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds ;  of  using  the  former  for 
the  high  service  foref^,r,  and  also  for  both  high  and  low,  until  such  time  as  it 
might  be  requisite  to  employ  the  latter  for  the  low  service,  were  original  with 
me.  According  to  my  plan,  the  water  was  to  be  forced  into  a  reservoir  on 
Bunker  Hill,  sixty  feet  above  high  tide ;  of  course  at  about  one-half  the  expen- 
diture of  fuel  required  to  raise  the  same  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet. 

"  The  coal  used  could  be  delivered  at  the  mouth  of  the  furnace  from  the 
vessel  without  any  expense  of  transportation  to  a  distance  from  the  wharf" 
Mr.  E.  says  that  the  only  plausible  objection  offered  against  his  project,  con- 
sisted in  the  mode  of  passing  Charles  Eiver,  near  Warren  Bridge ;  since  that 
report  was  made,  he  had  originated  the  idea  of  a  '  tunnel  under  the  bed  of  the 
river,'  which  he  is  satisfied  might  be  done  for  about  $60,000. 

After  giving  some  particulars  in  regard  to  the  great  tunnel  under  the 
Thames  River,  London,  England,  he  compares  the  strata  of  the  two,  "  which 
will  give  double  the  thickness  of  clay  above  this  excavation,  only  nine  feet  wide, 
that  there  is  over  the  top  of  the  arch  of  the  Thames  Tunnel,  where  the  excavation 
is  thirty-eight  feet  wide ',  "  and  after  describing  the  manner  of  its  construction, 
he  says :  "  It  will  at  once  be  evident  that  it  is  in  point  of  magnitude  and  cost  no 
Thames  Tunnel  affair,  but  perfectly  feasible  and  of  simple  construction."  "  By 
taking  the  shortest  route  through  Charlestown,  and  through  the  tunnel,  a  dis- 
tance of  two  and  a  quarter  miles  will  be  saved  over  the  Mill  Dam  route 
formerly  proposed,  which  will  make  a  clear  saving  of  $  83,709.50,  at  the  first 
outlay ; "  he  also  estimates  that  he  could  save  in  the  size  of  pipe  by  the  short 
route,  $  35,130  more.  After  giving  full  particulars  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  work  should  be  done,  with  the  estimates  and  savings  on  each  division,  he 
says :  "  That  the  whole  sum  which  the  city  would  gain  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
years,  by  adopting  the  routes  and  conduits  from  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds 
through  Charlestown,  in  manner  proposed  by  him,  over  the  routes  recom- 
mended by  the  Commissioners,  would  be  $  604,700,59." 

He  closes  thus :  "  In  making  this  communication,  I  have  been  solely  actuated 
by  a  desire  to  place  the  subject  in  a  true  light  before  the  Water  Com- 
mittee." 


1838.]  35 

On  the  15th  of  March,  1838,  Mr.  Shattuck  of  the  Common  Council, 
offered  the  following  Resolutions,  which  passed  both  branches  op  the 
City  Government: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  plan  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  pure  and  wholesome  water,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants,  from  Long 
Pond,  as  described  by  the  Water  Commissioners,  in  their  report  of  November 
23,  1837,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  approved,  subject  however  to  such  variation 
in  the  mode  of  constructing  the  conduit  as  may  be  determined  upon. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  City  Council  to  make  application  to 
the  Legislature  for  an  Act,  authorizing  the  City  of  Boston,  for  the  purpose  of 
executing  the  plan  proposed  in  the  foregoing  resolution,  to  take  possession 
of  any  ponds,  water  rights,  or  land,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex ;  to  borrow 
money,  and  create  such  a  City  debt  as  will  be  necessary  to  pay  the  cost  of  said 
work ;  to  tax  the  consumers  and  inhabitants  for  the  annual  interest  and  expenses 
attending  the  same  ;  to  create  a  sinking  fund  for  the  final  redemption  of  the  said 
debt ;  and  for  such  other  powers  and  restrictions  as  may  be  thought  expedient 
to  carry  forward  and  complete  this  great  work ;  and  also  providing  for  the 
acceptance  of  said  act  by  the  citizens,  as  specified  in  the  following  resolves. 

'•''Resolved,  That  after  said  act  is  obtained,  it  shall  be  printed  and  furnished  to 
all  the  legal  voters  of  the  city,  accompanied  with  a  statement,  prepared  and 
approved  by  the  City  Council  after  the  most  careful  investigation,  containing  a 
detailed  account  of  the  plan  by  which  the  water  is  to  be  furnished,  the  estimated 
cost  of  the  same  ;  how  the  money  is  to  be  raised  to  pay  for  it,  and  also  how  it  is 
proposed  to  pay  the  annual  interest  and  expenses  of  the  same,  and  how  the  debt 
is  finally  to  be  extinguished ;  and  containing,  also,  questions  embracing  the  fore- 
going propositions  to  be  submitted  to  the  legal  voters  ;  to  the  end  that  the  said 
legal  voters  may  express  their  assent  or  refusal  to  the  said  act  and  to  the  plan 
proposed,  and  also  to  allow  the  City  Council  to  proceed  in  raising  the  money 
necessary  to  construct  said  works,  by  depositing  their  ballots  in  their  respective 
wards  in  the  same  manner  as  at  the  municipal  elections,  at  such  time  as  shall  be 
agreed  upon  and  proposed  to  them  by  the  City  Council. 

'•''Resolved,  That  after  said  poll  is  closed,  if  it  shall  appear  that  two-thirds  of 
the  whole  number  of  votes  given  in,  are  in  favor  of  said  act  and  plan  and  of 
authorizing  the  raising  of  the  said  money,  thereby  conforming  to  the  sixth  joint 
rule  of  the  City  Council,  requiring,  in  creating  a  City  debt,  '  that  two-thu-ds  of 
each  branch  of  the  City  Council  shall  vote  in  the  affirmative,'  then  the  City 
Council  shall  proceed  forthwith  in  the  construction  of  said  work." 

March  19th,  the  Committee  on  Finance  were  ordered  to  report  a  plan  "for  a 
Sinking  Fund  for  the  payment  of  any  debt  that  might  be  incurred  by  the  Intro- 


36  [1838. 

duction  of  water ;  also  that  the  calculations  of  the  Commissioners  be  revised, 
to  ascertain  if  there  be  any  errors  therein,  and  also  to  report  what  measures 
may  be  necessary  to  prevent  the  water  introduced  from  being  made  free 
previous  to  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  so  incurred." 


The  Citizens  assembled  at  their  various  ward  rooms  on  April  2d,  to  vote 
on  the  following  propositions  : 

First.  Is  it  expedient  for  the  City  to  procure  a  supply  of  soft  water,  at  its 
own  expense?     The  vote  on  this  was,  —  yeas,  2,541 ;  nays,  1,621. 

Second.  Is  it  expedient  to  begin  the  work  the  present  year,  if  the  neces- 
sary power  can  be  obtained  of  the  Legislature  ?  The  vote  on  this  was,  — 
yeas,  2,507;  nays,  1,652. 

On  April  6th,  the  Committee  were  instructed  to  make  immediate  application 
to  the  Legislature  for  the  grant  of  such  power  to  the  City  as  may  be  necessary 
for  the  introduction  of  water  from  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds  or  Long  Pond. 

October  15th,  the  Committee  were  instructed  to  consider  the  expediency 
of  offering  a  bonus  to  a  private  corporation. 

On  October  26th,  the  Mayor  again  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  an  Act, 
as  requested  by  the  vote  of  April  6th,  which  was  referred  to  a  Committee  of 
the  Legislature,  who  did  not  report  until  the  following  year. 

The  subject  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water,  October  15th, 
was  reported  on  by  them  December  20th.  They  state  that  they  "are  still  of 
the  opinion  the  City  ought  to  construct  the  works,  as  there  are  many  advan- 
tages which  can  be  obtained  by  the  city  in  the  construction  of  such  works, 
which  cannot  be  made  up  to  individuals,  or  to  a  private  corporation,  without 
the  payment  of  what  might  reasonably  be  considered  an  exorbitant  bonus. 

"  For  instance,  the  City  can  ordinarily  obtain  money  at  a  much  lower  rate  of 
interest  than  individuals.  Then  the  public  uses  to  which  the  water  may  be 
applied,  such  as  cleansing  the  streets,  extinguishing  fires,  supply  to  public 
buildings,  etc.,  are  of  high  importance  to  the  City  in  its  corporate  capacity, 
but  of  none  at  all  to  individuals.  As  long,  therefore,  as  there  is  any  reason 
to  hope  that  the  City  will  undertake  the  work,  the  Committee  are  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is  inexpedient  to  offer  any  bonus  to  a  private  corporation." 

They  add,  however,  that  if  the  City  cannot  be  induced  to  commence  this 
noble  work,  then  it  would  be  desirable  that  it  should  be  done  by  others, 
rather  than  not  at  all. 


1838.]  37 

They  also  submit,  in  connection  with  their  report,  the  revised  estimates  of 
the  majority  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  according  to  instructions  given 
them  by  the  order  of  the  City  Council,  passed  March  19th. 

The  revised  Report  of  the  Commissioners,  above  referred  to,  covering  thirty- 
five  pages,  was  submitted  to  the  Committee  December  15th,  Messrs.  Treadwell 
and  Hale  still  adhering  to  their  preference  for  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds,  and 
Mr.  Baldwin  to  his  preference  for  Long  Pond.  No  new  facts  are  given,  and 
their  revised  estimates  are  for  Spot  and  Mystic  Ponds  $1,462,100,  being 
$45,460  less  than  their  former  estunate,  and  for  Long  Pond  $1,682,778,  being 
$93,070  less.  (City  Documents  on  the  subject  of  Water  for  year  1838,  Nos. 
1,  4,  9,  33.) 


[1839. 


CHAPTEE   V. 

1839  TO  1845. 

Mayor  Eliot's  Address  —  Committee  on  Water  chosen  — Col.  Baldwin's  objections  to  the 
Report  of  Messrs.  Treadwell  and  Hale  —  Act  reported  by  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature, 
and  recommitted  —  Hearing  upon  the  same  —  Resolve  passed  by  the  Legislature  — 
Report  of  Committee  on  Water  —  Actions  taken  on  the  Resolve  —  Consumption  of  Water 
—  Mayor  Chapman's  Address  —  Memorial  of  Charles  Crocker  —  Petition  of  James  C. 
Odiorne  and  others  to  bring  Water  from  Spot  Pond  —  Petition  of  Thomas  A.  Dexter 
and  others,  for  the  city  to  subscribe  one-third  of  the  stock  in  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Com- 
pany —  Petition  of  Walter  Charming  and  others,  for  a  Meeting  in  Faneuil  Hall  —  Resolve 
of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  ~  Meetings  in  Faneuil  Hall  —  Appointment  of  P.  T.  Jackson, 
Nathan  Hale  and  James  F.  Baldvrin  as  Commissioners  —  Petition  of  Charles  Crocker 
and  J.  M.  Dearborn  —  Report  of  the  Commissioners  —  Resolutions  passed  —  Vote  of  the 
citizens  on  the  Resolutions  —  Documents  circulated. 

On  the  7th  of  January,  1839,  Mayor  Eliot,  in  his  Annual  Address  to  the 
Cit\  Council,  after  speaking  of  the  number  of  works  that  should  be  under- 
tako-i,  says :  "The  first  of  these  works,  as  well  in  importance  as  in  the  length 
of  time  it  has  been  under  examination  and  discussion,  is  that  by  which  a 
supply  of  soft  water  may  be  brought  from  the  vicinity  into  the  city.  On  this 
topic,  I  can  add  nothing  to  what  I  have  said  on  former  occasions.  I  have 
uniformly  expressed  the  opinion,  that  it  is  now  the  interest  of  the  city,  and 
will  soon  become  a  matter  of  necessity,  to  introduce  such  a  supply  of  water. 
The  sources  from  which  a  sufficient  quantity  can  be  obtained  are  well  known, 
and  have  been  thoroughly  examined  by  skilful  engineers  ,•  and  although  the 
Commissioners  appointed  by  the  City  Government  have  not  agreed  in  opinion 
as  to  which  of  the  two  sources  is  the  best,  yet  they  have  satisfactorily  demon- 
strated that  either  of  the  two  is  not  merely  sufficient,  but  of  remarkably  fine 
quality. 

"  The  question  before  the  City  Council  is  one  on  which  any  person  of 
practical  judgment  is  competent  to  decide, — a  question  of  expense  merely.  If 
it  is  determined  that  it  is  expedient  to  introduce  water,  it  cannot  be  deemed  a 


1839.]  39 

proof  of  wisdom  to  hesitate  long  in  the  choice  between  two  means  of  supply, 
of  which  either  is  unexceptionable.  My  efforts  have  been  constant  to  promote 
the  progress  of  an  enterprise  which  I  deem  so  important  for  the  true  and 
permanent  welfare  of  the  city,  and  no  future  exertions  will  be  spared  on  my 
part,  to  hasten  the  moment  when  the  work  shall  be  begun. 

"It  must  be  obvious,  however,  that  till  both  branches  of  the  City  Council 
have  formed  a  decisive  opiuion  favorable  to  the  project,  no  individual  efforts 
can  be  successful. 

"  The  appropriation  of  money  is  necessary,  and  that  must  be  done  by  those 
who  control  that  branch  of  the  public  service.  The  City  Government  of  the 
last  year  directed  me  to  make  application  to  the  Legislature  for  the  grant  to 
the  city  of  the  powers  necessary  to  bring  the  water  from  either  of  the  two 
sources  recommended  by  the  Commissioners.  As  the  order  was  passed,  however, 
near  the  close  of  the  session  of  the  Legislature,  no  action  was  had  on  the 
petition,  which  was  immediately  presented;  and  I  have  taken  the  course 
prescribed  in  the  Revised  Statutes,  for  bringing  it  to  the  early  attention  of  the 
Legislature  during  their  present  session,  by  publishing  the  petition  in  the 
newspapers,  and  serving  notice  on  all  the  towns  interested  in  the  subject." 

January  14th,  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen,  and  that  part 
of  the  Mayor's  Address  above  mentioned  was  referred  to  them,  together  with 
all  the  documents  of  the  last  year  relating  to  a  supply  of  water.  The  Mayor 
was  requested  to  write  to  Col.  Baldwin,  asking  for  his  reason  for  objecting  to 
the  Report  of  Messrs.  Treadwell  and  Hale,  which  he  did  on  the  1 6th  inst.,  and 
Col.  Baldwin  replied  on  the  22d,  (City  Document  No.  5,  of  1839,)  giving  his 
objections ;  but  as  they  do  not  differ  essentially  from  those  given  by  him 
November  23d,  1837,  which  have  been  already  mentioned,  no  extracts  are 
made  therefrom. 

January  1 7th,  a  Bill  was  reported  by  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature, 
which  was  satisfactory  to  the  city,  but  remonstrances  having  been  presented  to 
the  Legislature  by  several  Towns,  the  Middlesex  Canal  Co.,  and  sundry 
citizens  of  Boston,  against  the  project  of  the  city,  the  Bill  was  recommitted 
with  instructions  to  give  the  parties  a  hearing. 

The  hearing  took  place  oh  the  24th  and  30th  of  January,  1st,  6th,  27th,  and 
28th  of  February,  and  the  1st,  5th,  6th,  7th  and  14th  of  March,  on  the  part  of 
the  remonstrants;  and  on  the  15th,  18th,  21st,  22d  and  25th  of  March,  on 
the  part  of  the  petitioners.  At  the  last  meeting  the  chairman  stated  that  the 
time  was  so  short  before  the  Legislature  would  adjourn,  that  they  should 
recommend  a  reference  of  the  subject  to  the  next  session. 

A  report  to  this  effect  was  accordingly  made  to  the  Senate,  which,  on  April 


40  [1839. 

4th,  was  recommitted  with  instructions  to  report  a  Bill ;  and  on  the  discussion 
which  arose  upon  the  Bill,  they  were  directed  to  bring  in  a  resolve  for  the 
appointment  by  the  Governor,  of  Commissioners  to  examine  the  whole 
subject.  They  reported  the  following  Eesolve,  which  was  passed  April  9th. 
(City  Document  No.  29.) 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  with  the  advice  of  the 
Council,  is  hereby  authorized,  on  the  application  of  the  City  of  Boston,  to 
appoint  three  Commissioners,  who  shall,  at  the  expense  of  said  city,  after  having 
given  such  notice  to  all  parties  interested  as  they  shall  think  reasonable,  ascertain 
and  report  to  the  next  General  Court  all  the  facts  and  information  which  they 
may  deem  material  in  relation  to  the  several  plans  proposed  by  said  city  for  the 
introduction  of  soft  water  into  Boston,  and  the  bearing  of  the  same  upon  the 
interests  of  all  persons  and  corporations  which  may  be  effected  thereby." 

At  the  hearings  above  referred  to,  forty-five  witnesses  were  examined  in 
opposition  to,  and  fourteen  in  favor  of  the  measure ;  of  the  latter,  seven  were 
Physicians. 

The  Committee  on  the  introduction  of  water,  in  their  Report  to  the  City 
Council,  April  29th,  covering  nineteen  pages  (see  City  Documents  19  and  25), 
say:  "It  would  be  difficult  to  find  on  the  records  of  any  Legislature,  a  more 
remarkable  result  of  a  three  months'  investigation  of  a  subject  which,  for 
several  years,  had  occupied  the  attention  of  an  important  portion  of  the  com- 
munity. Indeed,  the  whole  course  of  the  branch  of  inquiry  affecting  the  city 
was,  in  many  respects,  striking  and  novel.  The  action  of  the  City  by  its  own 
representative  government,  and  by  its  corporate  votes,  was  held  of  little  or  no 
account,"  and  they  close  their  report  by  saying :  "  But  however  desirous  the 
committee  may  be  to  see  a  beginning  of  the  important  work  of  supplying  the 
city  with  soft  water,  they  do  not  think  it  expedient  for  the  city  to  act  under 
the  resolve  of  April  9th,  thinking  it  better  to  pursue  the  usual  course  of 
applying  directly  to  the  Legislature  at  the  earliest  opportunity ;  they  therefore 
recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  resolve : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  for  the  city  to  apply  to  the  executive  of  the 
Commonwealth  for  the  appointment  of  Commissioners,  under  the  Resolve  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  9th  of  April  last,  to  examine  the  subject  of  the  introduction  of 
soft  water  into  Boston." 

In  September,  the  Committee  on  Water  made  a  Report  (see  City  Document 
No.  25),  stating:  That  they  had  given  the  subject  much  attention;  that  they 
were  more  than  ever  impressed  with  the  propriety  and  expediency  of  supply- 
ing the  city  with  pure  water ;  that  one  of  the  greatest  obstacles  to  the  union 
of  all  parties  on  the  subject  was  the  unfortunate  difference  of  opinion  between 


1840-43.]  41 

the  Commissioners  as  to  the  best  source  from  which  the  supply  should  be 
taken,  by  which  a  feeling  of  uncertainty  and  distrust  was  thrown  over  the  whole 
business.  Another  obstacle  was,  that  the  amount  of  water  calculated  to  be 
furnished  was  on  a  scale  to  which  the  public  mind  was  not  accustomed,  and 
for  which  it  was  not  prepared,  although  not  at  all  more  than  was  necessary. 
Another  source  of  opposition  was  from  the  proprietors  of  the  Jamaica  Pond 
Aqueduct,  and  they  say  no  one  can  blame  them  for  using  all  honorable  means 
to  preserve  the  value  of  their  company.  They  also  state,  "that  the  consump- 
tion in  the  city  at  the  present  time  is  at  the  rate  of  eleven  or  twelve  gallons 
per  day  to  each  individual,  and  they  think  that  fourteen  gallons  will  be  suffi- 
cient, and  recommend  that  the  city  purchase  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  and 
that  the  Mayor  be  instructed  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  leave  to  introduce 
the  water  from  Spot  Pond,  which  will  be  sufficient  for  many  yeais  to  come." 

The  only  action  of  the  City  Government  in  the  year  1 840  was  the  choice, 
on  January  6th,  of  a  Committee  on  Water;  the  Mayor,  Jonathan  Chapman, 
being  its  chairman. 

Mayor  Chapman,  in  his  Inaugural  Address,  says  of  the  introduction  of 
a  supply  of  pure  water,  "  It  is  an  enterprise  which,  if  undertaken  by  the 
City,  must  involve  a  very  considerable  outlay,  and  it  cannot  but  be 
admitted  that  some  doubts  may  reasonably  be  entertained  as  to  its  pecuniary 
results,  for  at  least  a  considerable  period  of  time.  It  seems  to  me,  therefore, 
that  no  prudent  government  would  enter  upon  it,  unless  with  the  hearty  con- 
currence of  a  large  majority  of  its  own  members,  and  of  the  citizens  generally. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  views  which  I  have  heretofore  expressed  in  another 
branch  of  the  government,  and  with  less  knowledge  upon  the  subject,  I  now 
feel  satisfied,  from  subsequent  observation,  that  the  public  mind  is  not  yet 
ready  to  sanction  the  undertaking  by  the  City  Government." 

In  1841,  on  January  25th,  a  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen,  and  the  only 
paper  referred  to  them  was  a  memorial  of  Charles  Crocker,  sent  to  the  City 
Council  August  16th,  in  which  he  proposed  a  plan  for  damming  Charles  Eiver, 
for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  city  with  fresh  water;  but  no  record  can  be 
found  of  their  report,  if  they  ever  made  one. 

In  the  year  1842,  no  Committee  on  Water  was  appointed  by  the  City  Gov- 
ernment, and  there  was  no  action  whatever  on  the  subject  of  the  introduction 
of  water. 

January  16th,  1843,  James  C.  Odiorne  and  others  sent  ia  a  petition,  asking 


42  [1844. 

leave  to  form  a  company  to  convey  water  into  the  city  from  Spot  Pond,  which 
was  referred  to  a  Committee,  the  Mayor,  Martin  Brimmer,  being  its  chairman, 
who  reported,  February  6th,  that  leave  be  granted,  under  certain  conditions, 
namely,  —  tliat  tlie  STpply  of  water  should  be  pure ;  that  the  whole  capacity 
of  Spot  Pond  should  be  conveyed  in  iron  pipes ;  that  one  or  more  reservoirs 
should  be  constructed  within  two  miles  of  the  City,  at  an  elevation  of  not  less 
than  one  hundred  feet ;  that  the  use  of  the  water  for  the  extinction  of  fires 
should  be  free  of  charge ;  that  the  laying  of  pipes  and  the  repairs  of  streets 
should  be  at  the  expense  of  the  company ;  that  the  whole  should  be  completed 
within  three  years ;  that  the  City  should  have  the  right  to  purchase  the  same 
at  cost,  and  a  certain  percentage,  not  named  therein ;  and  that  the  act  of  the 
Legislature  should  not  be  construed  to  prevent  the  Legislature  from  granting 
an  act  to  any  other  parties  that  might  hereafter  be  established  to  convey  water 
into  the  city.     This  report  was  laid  on  the  table. 

June  26th,  Thomas  A.  Dexter  and  others  sent  in  a  communication  in  regard 
to  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation,  asking  the  city  to  subscribe  for  one- 
third  of  the  capital  stock,  which  was  referred  to  this  same  Committee,  who 
reported  July  3d.  They  say :  "  That  as  the  act  provides  that  each  stock- 
holder shall  be  liable  for  all  the  debts  of  said  corporation,  they  think  this  is  a 
sufficient  reason  why  the  City  should  not  become  an  interested  party,  and  they 
recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  Resolve,"  which  was  passed. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  for  the  City  of  Boston  to  subscribe  for  any 
shares  in  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation." 

There  was  no  further  action  on  the  subject  during  this  year. 

July  22d,  1844,  a  Committee  was  appointed  "to  consider  and  report  what 
measures,  if  any,  should  be  adopted  to  procure  an  abundant  supply  of  pure 
soft  water  for  the  use  of  the  city." 

On  the  29th  of  July,  Walter  Channing  and  207  others  petitioned  the  City 
Council  that  a  general  meeting  in  Faneuil  Hall  might  be  called,  at  an  early 
day,  to  discuss  the  subject  of  supplying  the  City  from  Long  Pond,  which  was 
referred  to  the  last  named  Committee,  who  on  the  22d  of  August  made  a  Report 
on  both  subjects  referred  to  them,  in  which  they  say :  "  In  their  opinion,  the 
time  has  arrived  when  it  is  both  expedient  and  necessary  that  pure  water 
should  be  introduced  into  the  City.  Public  opinion  requires,  and  the  public 
safety  and  necessity  demand,  that  water  should  be  brought  into  the  city.  They 
recommend  Long  Pond,  and  consider  it  inexpedient  for  the  city  to  take  any 
other  source  into  consideration."     They  then  review  the  several  reports  of  the 


1844.]  43 

Commissioners,  and  finish  their  report  by  recommending  the  passage  of  the 
following  orders. 

Ordered,  "  That  three  Commissioners  be  appointed,  who  shall,  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible,  report  the  best  mode,  and  the  expense  of  bringing  the  water  of 
Long  Pond  into  the  City." 

Ordered,  "  That  the  Joint  Special  Committee  on  the  introduction  of  pure  soft 
water  into  the  City  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  three  Commis- 
sioners to  report  on  the  introduction  of  the  water  from  Long  Pond,  and  fix  their 
compensation." 

The  Committee  reported  at  the  same  time  on  the  petition  of  Walter 
Channing  and  others,  granting  leave  to  call  a  meeting.  On  the  26th^  the 
above  orders  were  passed,  and  Tuesday  evening,  September  3d,  at  7 
o'clock,  was  assigned  for  the  General  Meeting  of  the  Citizens. 

At  the  nest  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  September  2d,  they  passed  a 
Eesolve,  in  which  they  state,  "  That  in  giving  their  consent  to  the  appointment 
of  three  Commissioners  to  report  on  the  Long  Pond  source,  they  did  not  intend 
to  express  any  opinion  as  to  the  expediency  of  supplying  the  City  from  that 
pond,  nor  to  preclude  examination  of  other  ponds  hereafter,  but  as  Long  Pond 
was  one  of  the  prominent  sources  of  supply,  it  should  be  thoroughly  examined." 

The  Committee  on  Water  appointed  Messrs.  P.  T.  Jackson,  Nathan  Hale 
and  James  F.  Baldwin,  Commissioners  to  make  the  examination,  and  to  report 
on  Long  Pond. 

September  3d,  the  Citizens'  Meeting  was  held  in  Faneuil  Hall,  and  was 
called  to  order  by  Samuel  F.  McCleary,  Esq.,  the  city  clerk,  who  read  the 
warrant  calling  the  meeting,  and  His  Honor  the  Mayor  was  chosen  moderator. 

This  meeting,  was  a  very  large  one;  speeches  were  made  by  the  Mayor, 
Henry  Williams,  Esq.,  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  Mr.  Crocker,  and  Mr.  Whiting, 
all  in  favor  of  the  immediate  introduction  of  Long  Pond  water,  at  the  expense 
of  the  City.  The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  next  evening.  At  the 
adjourned  meeting,  speeches  were  made  by  Messrs.  Wright,  Williams,  and 
Mellen  for  the  project,  and  by  Messrs.  Pickering  and  Thomas  against  it. 

The  meeting  was  continued  by  successive  adjournments  to  Oct.  22d,  to 
Nov.  14th,  and  to  Nov.  26th.  At  this  last  date,  addresses  were  made  in 
favor  of  the  project  by  the  Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence  and  the  Hon.  John  C. 
Gray ;  and  a  series  of  propositions  were  passed,  to  be  sent  to  the  Mayor  and 
Aldermen,  with  the  request  that  they  might  be  submitted  to  the  people  to  vote 
upon.    The  meeting  then  adjourned  to  meet  Dec.  3d  ;  at  which  time,  there  was 


44  [1844. 

considerable  excitement  on  account  of  the  change  that  the  City  Council  had 
made  in  the  proposition  to  be  voted  upon  as  requested  at  the  previous  meeting, 
tliey  having  added  the  words  after  Long  Pond,  "  or  jrom  any  other  source  that 
may  hereafter  be  decided  by  the  City  Council  to  be  best ;"  and  also  put  the  whole 
management  into  the  hands  of  the  City  Council,  instead  of  the  Water  Commis- 
sioners as  proposed  by  the  meeting.  These  changes  were  objected  to  by  Mr. 
Williams,  Mr.  Darracott,  John  C.  Gray,  Dr.  Channing,  and  T.  B.  Curtis}  and 
it  was  decided  that  if  the  City  Council  would  not  change  the  propositions,  that 
the  committee  hereinafter  mentioned  were  authorized  to  cause  the  same  to  be 
printed  and  distributed  at  the  polls ;  and  the  following  Committee  were  chosen 
to  wait  upon  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  request  them  to  reconsider  their 
action :  Messrs.  Edward  Brooks,  George  Darracott,  W.  T.  Eustis,  Charles 
Leighton,  J.  M.  Clark,  and  Charles  Welch.  The  meeting  then  adjourned  to 
meet  at  the  polls. 

On  the  records  of  the  Legislature,  we  find  that  Charles  Crocker  and 
John  M.  Dearborn  petitioned  for  a  charter  for  a  Charles  River  Aqueduct 
Company  to  furnish  the  city  of  Boston  with  water ;  and  on  March  1 7th,  1 845, 
it  was  referred  to  the  next  Legislature,  and  an  order  of  notice  was  ordered 
to  parties  interested,  to  appear  and  show  cause,  at  the  next  General  Court, 
why  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  should  not  be  granted ;  but  as  no  farther 
record  can  be  found,  it  was  undoubtedly  given  up. 

November  9th,  1844,  the  Commissioners  made  their  Report  to  the  Committee 
on  Water,  covering  thirty  pages  (City  Document  27) ;  they  say:  First,  that 
the  amount  to  be  brought  into  the  city  should  be  sufficient  for  250,000  inhab- 
itants, and  make  this  the  basis  of  their  calculation;  they  estimate  that  28 J 
wine  gallons  to  each  inhabitant  will  be  fully  sufficient,  which  will  require 
7,125,000  gallons  per  day.  The  next  question  to  decide  was  "whether  the 
water  of  Long  Pond  was  sufficient  to  afford  a  constant  supply  to  this  amount," 
and  after  giving  the  particulars  of  their  examination  they  say,  "  that  Long 
Pond  may  be  safely  relied  upon  to  produce  a  constant  supply  to  this  extent." 
They  then  proceed  to  the  mode  of  introducing  the  water,  and  after  giving  an 
account  of  the  Croton  Water  Works,  which  two  of  the  Commissioners  visited, 
they  "  recommend  the  construction  of  an  aqueduct,  from  Long  Pond  to  a 
Reservoir  of  sufficient  capacity  to  contain  a  day's  supply,  to  be  formed  on 
Corey's  Hill,  in  Brookline,  a  distance  of  about  sixteen  miles."  They  propose 
that  the  conduit  should  be  of  brick,  laid  in  cement,  "  of  an  oval  form,  five  feet 
wide,  and  six  feet  four  inches  high  in  the  interior,  and  broader  in  the  lower 
section  than  in  the  upper."  They  propose  that  the  brick-work  shall  be  eight 
inches  in  thickness,  and  that  the  whole  structure  shall  be  covered  with  an 


1844.]  45 

embankment  of  earth,  four  feet  in  depth  in  every  part ;  the  conduit  to  be  laid 
with  an  inclination  from  a  level  of  three  inches  in  a  mile,  which  would  be 
sufficient  for  the  proposed  supply  of  water,  by  filling  the  aqueduct  to  a  depth 
of  three  feet  and  ten  inches,  leaving  a  space  of  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height 
empty.  "  A  line  has  been  surveyed  between  the  Pond  and  Corey's  Hill,"  and 
they  say  that  there  is  "no  formidable  obstacle  to  the  construction  of  the  works. 
There  will  be  several  places  of  deep  cutting,  none,  however,  exceeding  thirty- 
six  feet  in  depth ; "  that  there  will  be  "  several  large  embankments,  and  some 
heavy  excavations,  mostly  through  sand  and  gravel,  with  no  indication  of  rock 
to  any  great  extent.    No  examination,  however,  had  been  made  under  ground." 

"  There  are  two  valleys  to  be  crossed,  one  at  the  crossing  of  Charles  River 
near  Newton  Lower  Falls,  and  the  other  near  Lime  Grove,  beyond  Brighton 
Village ;  these  they  propose  to  cross  by  two  thirty-inch  iron  pipes." 

They  recommend  for  the  supply  of  the  city,  that  there  should  "  be  three  or 
four  Reservoirs  of  moderate  dimensions :  one  to  be  situated  on  Beacon  Hill, 
another  on  Fort  Hill,  the  third  on  Dorchester  Heights  in  South  Boston,  and  a 
fourth  on  Copps  Hill  in  the  north  part  of  the  city. "  They  say,  that  these 
may  be  dispensed  with,  by  adopting  larger  size  pipes  for  distribution,  but  they 
prefer  the  Reservoirs  as  the  most  effectual. 

They  recommend  that  two  thirty-inch  pipes  be  taken  from  the  Corey  Hill 
Reservoir,  through  Tremont  Street  to  Boylston,  and  that  branches  shall  be 
taken  from  these  to  the  four  Reservoirs,  and  such  other  branches  as  will  be 
necessary  for  the  supply  of  the  city.  They  estimate  the  cost  of  the  works, 
which  they  give  in  detail,  at  $2,118,535.83,  which  includes  allowance  for 
contingencies.    - 

November  14th,  1844,  the  Committee  made  their  Report  to  the  City 
Council,  together  with  that  of  the  Commissioners,  and  recommend  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following  Resolves. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  City  to  begin  and  complete  the  necessary 
works  for  the  introduction  of  a  supply  of  pure  water. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  draw  the  supply  from  Long  Pond  in  the 
manner  recommended  by  the  Commissioners  appointed  under  the  order  of  August 
26th,  1844. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  begin  the  work  as  soon  as  necessary  powers 
can  be  obtained  from  the  Legislature. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  that  the  following  question  be  submitted  to  the 
legal  voters,  on  the  second  Monday  of  December  next,  —  the  citizens  to  vote  in 
their  re'fepective  wards  Yea  or  Nay,  viz  :  "  Are  you  in  favor  of  procuring  a 
supply  of  water  for  the  City,  to  be  brought  and  distributed  at  the  expense  of  the 


46  [1844. 

City  from  Long  Pond  in  Framingham,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  on  their 
paying  therefor  a  reasonable  compensation  to  be  fixed  and  established  by  a 
Board  of  Water  Commissioners. " 

On  November  21st,  the  Common  Council  passed  the  first  resolve,  and  on 
the  26th,  substituted  the  foui'th  resolve  for  the  second,  with  the  following 
amendment,  ''  from  Long  Pond,  or  such  other  sources  as  may  hereafter  be  decided 
to  he  best  —  upon  such  terms  and  under  such  regulations  as  the  City  Council 
may  direct."  The  other  resolves  were  indefinitely  postponed.  There  was 
considerable  discussion  as  to  the  proper  form  in  which  the  questions  should 
be  submitted  to  the  people  to  be  voted  upon,  but  finally  the  Mayor  and  Alder- 
men yielded  to  the  committee  of  the  Paneuil  Hall  meeting,  and  the  following 
form  was  adopted,  and  voted  upon  on  December  9th. 

First  Proposition.  —  Are  you  in  favor  of  procuring  a  supply  of  water  for  the 
inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Boston,  to  be  brought,  at  the  expense  of  the  city, 
from  Long  Pond  in  Natick  and  Framingham,  or  from  any  of  the  sources  adja- 
cent thereto,  on  the  condition  that  those  of  the  inhabitants  who  may  elect  to 
take  and  use  the  same  shall  be  required  to  pay  for  the  water  such  reasonable 
tax  as  shall  hereafter  be  fixed  and  established  by  a  Board  of  Water  Commis- 
sioners that  shall  be  created  ?    The  vote  on  this  was  :  yeas,  6,260;  nays,  2,204. 

Second  Proposition.  —  Do  you  hereby  vote  to  instruct  the  City  Council  to 
apply  to  the  Legislature,  in  behalf  of  the  city,  for  the  grant  of  a  suitable  char- 
ter to  carry  into  effect  the  object  expressed  in  the  first  proposition  ?  And  do 
you  hereby  vote  to  instruct  the  Senators  and  Representatives  elect,  of  the  City 
of  Boston,  to  exert  their  influence,  at  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Legislature,  to 
obtain  a  just  and  liberal  charter  for  the  object,  as  above  set  forth  ?  The  vote 
on  this  was  :  yeas,  6,252  ;  nays,  2,207. 

Third  Proposition.  —  Are  you  in  favor  of  procuring  a  supply  of  water  for 
the  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Boston,  to  be  brought,  at  the  expense  of  the 
city,  from  any  source  which  may  hereafter  be  decided  by  the  City  Council  to 
be  the  best,  on  condition  that  those  of  the  inhabitants  who  may  elect  to  take  and 
use  the  same  shall  be  required  to  pay  for  the  water  such  reasonable  tax  as 
shall  hereafter  be  fixed  and  established  by  a  Board  of  Water  Commissioners 
that  shall  be  created?     The  vote  on  this  was:  yeas,  1,206;  nays,  7,081. 

Fourth  Proposition.  —  Do  you  hereby  vote  to  advise  the  City  Council  to 
apply  to  the  Legislature  in  behalf  of  the  city  for  the  grant  of  a  suitable  char- 
ter to  carry  into  effect  the  object  expressed  in  the  third  proposition  ?  and  do 
you  hereby  vote  to  instruct  the  Senators  and  Representatives  elect  of  the  City 
of  Boston  to  exert  their  influence  at  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Legislature  to 


1844.]  47 

obtain  a  just  and  liberal  charter  for  the  object  as  above  set  forth  ?     The  vote 
on  this  was:  yeas,  1,194;  nays,  7,144. 

Before  the  vote  was  taken  on  the  above  propositions,  there  were  several 
communications  in  the  newspapers  in  favor  of,  and  in  opposition  to,  the  same  • 
and  the  following  Pamphlets  were  distributed  among  the  inhabitants  :  First, 
"  Thoughts  about  Water,"  (16  pages.)  This  is  an  article  published  in  1838, 
and  signed  "  A  Selfish  Tax-Payer,"  with  a  few  remarks  as  a  preface  to  the 
same,  advocating  Spot  Pond  as  the  best  source  of  supply.  Second,  "  A  Plea 
for  Pure  Water,"  being  a  letter  to  Henry  Williams,  Esq.,  by  Walter  Channing, 
with  an  address  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  by  Mr.  H.  Williams  (39  pages). 

Dr.  Channing's  letter  does  not  recommend  a  source  for  the  supply,  but  is 
upon  the  importance  of  having  an  ample  supply,  in  the  earliest  possible  time. 
The  address  of  Mr.  Williams  advocates  Long  Pond,  and  gives  his  idea  of  the 
interest  that  would  have  to  be  paid  on  the  cost  of  the  work,  and  also  of  the 
•income  which  would  be  derived  from  the  same. 

The  committee  of  the  Legislature  in  their  report  say :  "  Such  an  over- 
whelming majority  of  votes,  if  under  standingly  given,  cannot  be  regarded,  under 
the  circumstances,  otherwise  than  as  very  convincing,  not  to  say  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  a  deep-felt  and  generally  pervading  want  of  water.  It  is  evidence, 
also,  of  a  settled  determination  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  that,  when  this  work 
is  done,  it  shall  be  done  by  the  City  at  its  own  expense." 

The  City  Council  ordered  7,000  of  the  Commissioners'  Report  to  be  printed 
and  cu'culated  before  the  municipal  election,  also  the  report  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  1837  ;  but  Mr.  Hubbard,  in  his  argument  before  the  committee  of  the 
Legislature,  says,  "  That  the  report  of  1 844  was  printed  and  circulated  before 
the  election,  hut  that  the  report  o/  1837  was  not  circulated  until  after  this  vote  had 
been  take7i." 

On  December  12th,  the  Mayor  communicated  to  the  City  Council  the  result 
of  the  vote  of  the  citizens ;  and  on  the  1 7th  the  Committee  on  Water  recom- 
mended the  passage  of  an  order  instructing  the  Mayor  to  make  immediate 
application  to  the  Legislature  for  the  grant  of  such  powers  to  the  city  as  may 
be  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object.  This  order  was  passed.  (City  Docu- 
ments on  subject  of  Water,  for  1844,  Nos.  6,  24,  24|,  25  and  26.) 


[1845. 


CHAPTER    YI. 

1845. 

Petition  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  —  Hearing  before  tlie  Committee  of  the  Legislature 
—  Act  passed  —  Committee  on  Water  chosen  —  Mayor  Davis'  Address— Act  submitted 
to  the  citizens  and  rejected  — Efforts  made  by  the  citizens  previous  to  the  vote  being 
taken  —  Memorials  from  the  citizens  of  the  several  vpards  —  Several  Petitions  in  favor- 
of  Spot  Pond  —  Petition  from  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation  —  Report  of  the 
Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  several  Petitions  —  Appointment  of  John  B.  Jarvis 
and  Walter  R  Johnson,  Engineers  to  make  a  survey  —  Their  Report  —  Resolve  passed. 

Januaey  1st,  1845,  the  Mayor  petitioned  the  Legislature  for  the  necessary 
power  to  accomplish  the  object  spoken  of  in  the  last  chapter,  which  was  re- 
ferred on  the  8th  of  January  to  a  Joint  Special  Committee  of  the  Legislature, 
Hon.  Myron  Lawrence,  chairman ;  several  remonstrances  against  tlie  petition 
were  also  referred  to  the  same  committee,  who  held  their  first  meeting  Friday, 
January  31st.  Tlie  remonstrants  were,  —  1st,  Joseph  Tilden  and  others  of 
Boston,  represented  by  William  J.  Hubbard,  Esq. ;  2d,  Charles  W.  Cartwright 
and  others  of  Boston,  represented  by  Derby  &  Fuller ;  3d,  Paul  Curtis  and 
others  of  Medford ;  4th,  Proprietors  of  Middlesex  Canal,  represented  by  B.  R. 
Curtis,  Esq. ;  5th,  J.  B.  Faulkner  and  others  of  Billerica,  also  represented  by 
B.  R.  Curtis,  Esq. ;  6th,  R.  G.  Shaw  and  others,  on  behalf  of  East  Boston,  rep- 
resented by  D.  S.  Greenough,  Esq, ;  7th,  Oliver  Whipple  of  Lowell ;  8th,  Spot 
Pond  Corporation,  represented  by  Sidney  Bartlett,  Esq.  Several  other  re- 
monstrances were  also  sent  in  during  the  hearing.  The  city  was  represented 
by  Mr.  Pickering,  the  City  Solicitor,  Charles  H.  Warren,  and  Richard 
Fletcher. 

Five  days  were  occupied  by  the  council  in  presenting  the  case  to  the 
committee,  eight  days  by  the  examination  of  the  thirty-three  witnesses  in 
opposition,  and  seven  days  in  the  examination  of  the  nine  witnesses  in  favor 
of  the  petition,  and  six  days  by  the  council  in  closing  the  case,  making  a 
session  of  twenty-six  days,  the  last  one  being  March   8th.     The  full  Report  of 


1845.]  49 

the  proceedings  before  the  committee,  including  the  closing  argument  of  Mr. 
Hubbard,  covers  198  pages. 

March  13th,  a  Bill  was  reported  by  the  committee,  which,  with  a  few 
amendments,  was  adopted,  and  approved  by  the  Governor,  March  25  th. 

January  23d,  the  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen  by  the  City  Council, 
William  Parker  being  its  chairman ;  and  the  papers  and  documents  of  the  last 
year,  1 844,  were  referred  to  them. 

Mayor  Davis,  in  his  Inaugural  Address,  on  February  27th,  says:  "The  great 
and  important  measure  to  come  before  the  City  Government  for  their 
deliberation  and  action  is  the  introduction  of  pure  water  into  the  city.  It  is 
now  some  twenty  years  since  the  introducing  of  pure  soft  water  from  abroad 
has  been  extensively  discussed  both  in  public  and  private. 

"While  the  city  was  comparatively  small,  and  confined  to  the  grounds  formed 
by  nature,  in  which  wells  were  easily  sunk,  and  springs  found,  the  necessity  of 
introducing  a  supply  from  abroad  was  not  so  sensibly  felt ;  but  of  late  years, 
we  have  been  gradually  extending  on  all  sides  by  the  formation  of  new  land, 
till  at  the  present  time  more  than  one-third  of  the  whole  population  of  the  city 
is  located  on  grounds  once  flowed  by  the  tides.  On  these  made  lands,  great 
difficulty  is  experienced  in  finding  good  and  sufficient  springs ;  and  when 
found,  they  are,  by  filtration  of  brackish  water,  soon  rendered  unfit  for  use. 
It  has  therefore  been  decided  after  mature  discussion  in  public  meetings  held 
for  the  purpose,  by  a  vote  of  about  three  to  one,  that  it  is  expedient  to  have 
water  brought  into  the  city  at  the  public  expense  from  Long  Pond,  and  by  a 
vote  of  seven  to  one,  that  it  should  be  introduced  from  some  source ;  the 
water  when  introduced,  to  be  received  and  paid  for  by  the  citizens,  on  such 
terms,  and  in  such  manner,  as  shall  be  decided  upon  by  the  Commissioners 
appointed  for  that  purpose." 

He  then  says :  "  That  the  petition  has  been  presented  to  the  Legislature  for 
the  necessary  powers  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the  people,"  and  after  review- 
ing the  Commissioners'  Report,  he  adds :  "  The  undertaking  is  one  of  great 
magnitude,  surpassing  anything  hitherto  entered  upon  by  the  City  Government. 
It  will  involve  the  city  in  a  large  outlay,  and  when  completed,  in  a  heavy 
annual  expense.  It  should  therefore  be  proceeded  in  with  great  caution  and 
prudence. 

"  The  advantages  of  an  abundant  supply  of  pure  soft  water,  to  the  health 

and  happiness  of  the  citizens  is  beyond  calculation.     I  doubt  not,  should  the 

undertaking  be  successfully  carried  through,  at  the  cost  estimated   by  the 

Commissioners,  it  could  then  be  said  by  our  citizens  of  the  Long  Pond  water 

7 


50  [1845. 

■works,  as  is  now  said  by  those  enjoying  the  Croton  water  works,  —  '■  No  one 
regrets  their  construction.'  " 

March  10th,  Mr.  Parker  having  resigned,  the  Mayor,  Thomas  A.  Davis,  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  Water  Committee  in  his  place  ,•  and,  March  24th,  the 
proceedings  before  the  Legislature,  previously  referred  to,  were  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  20th  Section  of  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature,  giving  power  to  introduce  the  water  into  the  city  from  Long 
Pond,  the  citizens  upon  the  19th  of  May,  1845,  voted  on  the  acceptance  of 
the  said  Act,  and  it  was  rejected;  3,670  votes  being  in  favor,  and  3,999  votes 
being  against  it. 

The  principal  cause  of  its  rejection  was  the  power  and  control  over  the 
works  given  to  the  Commissioners.  Every  effort  to  accomplish  the  object  they 
desired  was  made  by  those  that  were  in  favor  of,  as  well  as  those  that  were 
opposed  to,  the  measure. 

Previous  to  the  vote  being  taken,  the  papers  were  filled  with  articles  and 
communications  upon  the  subject,  both  for  and  against,  and  the  following 
documents  were  distributed  to  the  inhabitants.  1st.  "  Remarks  on  the  sup- 
plying the  City  of  Boston  with  pure  water,"  by  John  H.  Wilkins  (44  pages), 
advocating  Charles  River  as  the  best  source.  2d.  "  Letter  from  Lemuel  Shat- 
tuck,  in  answer  to  interrogatories  of  J.  Preston,  in  relation  to  the  introduction 
of  water  into  the  City  of  Boston,"  (40  pages.)  In  this  letter,  we  find  this  re- 
markable passage,  "  No  one  candidly  viewing  the  whole  subject,  in  my  opinion 
will  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  wants  of  the  city,  now  or  for  the  next 
twenty  years,  will  require  the  amount  of  water  supposed  by  some  to  be  needed ; 
or  that  it  will,  upon  any  question  of  necessity,  expediency,  or  economy,  be  jus- 
tified in  introducing  the  Long  Pond  water.  And  whether  the  city  or  a  private 
corporation  introduce  it,  some  other  source  is  certainly  preferable."  3d. 
"  How  shall  we  vote  on  the  Water  Act  ?  "  (24  pages.)  This  was  opposed  to 
the  act,  the  author's  name  not  given.  4th.  "  Arguments  and  statements  by  a 
remonstrant,"  (25  pages.)  5th.  Statement  by  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Com- 
pany, (10  pages.)  6th.  "Inquiry  into  the  best  mode  of  supplying  the  City  of 
Boston  with  water,  in  reply  to  the  pamphlets  of  Mr.  Wilkins  and  Mr.  Shattuck, 
by  a  member  of  the  late  Board  of  Water  Commissioners,"  (70  pages.)  This 
pamphlet  ends  thus :  "  If  they  wish  to  have  the  water  introduced  in  their  own 
lifetime,  and  not  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  their  posterity,  they  will  vote  for 
the  acceptance  of  the  act,  which  authorizes  the  introduction  of  the  water  of 
either  Long  Pond  or  Charles  River,  at  the  election  of  the  City  Council."  7th. 
"  Further  remarks  on  the  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  pure  water,"  (in 


1845.]  51 

answer  to  document  No.  6,  above  mentioned)  (68  pages.)  8tb.  "Address  of 
the  Faneuil  Hall  Committee/'  (32  pages.)  This  address  recommends  the 
citizens  by  all  means  to  vote  for  the  act;  it  says,  "  It  is  water!  or  no  water! 
It  is  present  or  speedy  action,  or  interminable  delay ! "  This  was  signed  by 
Edward  Brooks,  Thomas  B.  Curtis,  George  Darracott,  Henry  Williams, 
Charles  A.  Wells,  Thomas  J.  Lobdell,  Charles  Leighton,  Nathaniel  G-reene, 
William  Stearns,  and  Robert  Cowdin.  9th.  "Remarks  on  the  present  project 
of  the  City  G-overnment  for  supplying  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  with  pure 
soft  water,"  by  Henry  B.  Rogers,  (39  pages.)  This  opposes  the  act,  as  well 
as  the  source  of  the  supply.  10th.  "Parliamentary  sketches,  and  Water 
Statistics,  being  another  word  addressed  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  in  support 
of  supplying  the  City  with  the  pure  water  of  Long  Pond,"'  by  Walter  Chan- 
ning,  M.  D.,  (28  pages.)  '     '*'' 

June  3d,  several  Memorials  from  citizens  of  wards  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  9,  10, 
11  and  12,  were  received  by  the  City  Council,  and  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Water ;  these  were  all  in  favor  of  the  introduction  of  water,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  City,  and  against  subscribing  to  one-third  of  the  stock  of  the  Spot 
Pond  Aqueduct  Company.  There  was  also  referred  to  that  committee  the 
petition  of  Samuel  T.  Armstrong,  and  ninety-nine  others,  asking  that  the  ques- 
tion in  regard  to  subscribing  to  one-third  of  the  stock  of  the  Spot  Pond  Aque- 
duct Company  might  be  submitted  to  the  people. 

June  9th,  the  petition  of  John  W.  Fenno  and  others,  on  the  subject  of  Spot 
Pond,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water ;  and,  on  the  same  day,  they 
were  authorized  to  take  such  measures  as  they  might  deem  necessary  to 
decide  as  to  the  expediency  of  accepting  the  proposition  of  the  proprietors 
of  Spot  Pond  to  sell  said  Pond  to  the  City. 

The  petition  of  several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  ward  nine,  on  June  23d,  pray- 
ing for  the  city  government  to  subscribe  to  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Corpora- 
tion ;  the  petition  of  Nathaniel  Faxon  and  others  on  July  7th,  for  the  same 
purpose ;  and  the  Memorial  of  J.  Ball,  July  21st,  upon  the  subject  of  supplying 
the  City  with  water,  were  referred  to  the  same  committee. 

August  5th,  Caleb  Eddy,  in  behalf  of  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation, 
sent  in  a  petition  to  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  asking  that  the  following  prop- 
osition might  be  submitted  to  the  citizens  of  Boston  in  their  respective  wards : 
"  Shall  the  immediate  introduction  of  pure  water  be  secured  by  requesting  the 
City  Government  to  subscribe  for  the  remaining  third  of  the  capital  of  the  Spot 
Pond  Aqueduct  Company,  with  liberty  to  take  the  whole  on  the  completion  of 
the  work  pursuant  to  the  charter  ?  " 

And  in  case  a  majority  of  voters  shall  approve  the  same,  they  respectfully 


52  [1845. 

request  the  City  Government,  under  the  power  conferred  by  the  charter,  to 
subscribe  for  one-third  of  the  stock  of  the  company  which  has  been  reserved 
for  the  city.  They  also  state  that  application  will  be  made  to  the  Legisla- 
ture to  amend  the  charter  so  that  it  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  City  Council. 

The  individual  subscribers  to  the  stock  of  the  above  mentioned  company 
also  presented  a  petition  in  furtherance  of  that  presented  by  Mr.  Eddy. 

These  Petitions  were  referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  who  reported  Septem- 
ber 8th,  recommending  that  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  be  granted.  No  action 
however  was  taken,  as  the  Joint  Committee  on  Water,  to  whom  the  several 
Petitions  of  June  3d,  9th  and  23d,  were  referred,  had  not  made  their  report. 

November  3d,  Charles  A.  Wells  and  others,  composing  the  Union  Water 
Convention,  asked  that  certain  interrogatories  might  be  put  to  the  citizens  at 
the  next  Municipal  Election ;  which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water. 

November  24th,  that  Committee  made  their  Report  on  the  several  petitions 
referred  to  them,  in  which  they  say :  They  wished  to  decide  in  the  First  place, 
how  much  water  it  would  be  desirable  to  introduce ;  Secondly,  the  amount 
of  water  to  be  obtained  from  Spot  and  Long  Ponds,  and  Charles  River  at 
Watertown ;  Thirdly,  as  to  the  probable  cost  of  each  source.  To  ascertain 
these  facts  they  deemed  it  expedient  to  appoint  two  impartial  engineers  from 
abroad,  to  examine  and  report' ;  and  they  selected  for  this  purpose,  John  B. 
Jervis,  Esq.,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Croton  Water  Works,  and  Professor 
Walter  R.  Johnson  of  Philadelphia ;  who  entered  upon  their  duties  the  last 
of  June,  and  completed  their  work  on  November  18th,  when  they  made  their 
Report,  therewith  submitted. 

In  regard  to  the  proposition  of  the  proprietors  of  Spot  Pond,  they  reported 
that  it  was  inexpedient  for  the  City  to  purchase  the  same ;  and  also  inex- 
pedient for  the  City  to  subscribe  to  the  stock  of  the  Spot  Pond  Aqueduct 
Company. 

The  Report  of  Messrs.  Jarvis  and  Johnson,  together  with  the  appendix,  covers 
160  pages.  They  commence  their  examination  with  Spot  Pond;  its  capacity 
to  be  relied  on  as  a  supply  is  put  at  1,500,000  gallons  per  day :  they  do  not 
think  it  could  be  made  a  larger  reservoir  within  a  reasonable  expense. 
After  giving  the  route  from  this  source,  they  give  the  estimate  in  detail, 
making  the  total  cost,  without  distribution,  $561,897. 

Then  comes  the  Charles  River  source,  taking  the  water  at  the  dam  at 
Watertown,  and  carrying  it  thence  through  a  brick  aqueduct  to  the  foot  of 
Corey's  Hill,  and  pumping  it  from  this  point  to  a  reservoir  on  said  hill.  Of 
the  capacity  of  this  source,  they  say,  that  during  a  part  of  the  month  of 
August  it  varied  from   20,298,752  to   69,485,166   gallons  per  day;  in   Sep- 


1845.]  53 

tember,  it  varied  from  9,367,100  to  24,101,222  gallons  per  day;  the  average 
was  19,108,451  gallons  per  day;  in  October  from  1st,  to  14tli,  it  varied  from 
22,398,120,  to  48,977,908  gallons  per  day;  these  extremes  were  caused  by 
heavy  rains.  The  estimated  cost  of  getting  water  from  this  source,  which  is 
likewise  given  in  detail,  is,  exclusive  of  distribution,  for  2,500,000  gallons  per 
day,  $606,495;  for  5,000,000  gallons  per  day,  $1,009,218,  for  7,500,000 
gallons  per  day,  $1,280,890. 

Long  Pond  source  comes  next ;  they  estimate  the  water-shed,  including  the 
pond,  at  12,077  acres;  but  the  available  water-shed  they  put  at  11,400 
acres;  its  capacity  estimated  by  the  rain  fall,  they  put  at  10,176,570  gallons 
per  day. 

They  remark :  "  From  the  indications  on  the  shore,  it  appears  that  the  usual 
high  water  mark  has  been  about  three  feet  above  the  floor,  or  bottom  of  the 
flume."  Last  year,  1844,  the  dam  was  raised  to  nearly  Q.5  feet  above  the 
same  level.  It  is  now  proposed  to  raise  the  dam  to  eight  feet  above  the 
floor  of  the  flume.  "  The  pond  is  well  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  winds, 
which  tend  to  maintain  the  purity  of  the  water.  It  would  more  appropriately 
be  termed  a  lake. 

"To  provide  for  7,500,000  gallons  per  day,  the  reservoir  at  6.5  feet  high 
will  be  amply  sufficient ;  the  8-feet  level  will,  however,  give  a  better  reservoir 
for  this  quantity,  and  as  it  provides,  at  a  small  extra  expense,  for  a  capacity 
of  10,000,000  gallons  per  day,  it  has  been  deemed  proper  to  present  it  for 
consideration." 

In  regard  to  the  size  and  shape  of  the  conduit,  they  adopt  the  plan  proposed 
by  the  Commissioners  of  1844;  but  they  recommend  that  a  plastering  of 
cement  be  put  on  the  inside,  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  water-line,  and  on  the 
outside,  from  the  top  down  to  the  chord  line  of  the  lower,  or  inverted  arch. 
"  The  first,  to  more  perfectly  prevent  water  from  escaping  from  the  conduit, 
and  the  latter,  more  effectually  to  secure  against  the  percolation  of  surface 
water  into  the  conduit.  Doubtless  the  conduit  would  do  very  well  without 
the  plastering,  but  it  will  be  more  perfect  with  it."  They  proposed  to  com- 
mence the  Aqueduct  near  the  head  of  the  northern  section,  and  that  the 
bottom  of  the  inside  of  the  Aqueduct  be  placed  three  feet  four  inches  below 
the  floor  of  Knight's  flume,  and  that  it  should  be  carried  out  some  distance 
into  the  pond,  so  as  to  procure  the  water  at  a  greater  depth.  The  particulars 
as  to  the  route  are  given,  and  a  description  of  the  culverts,  waste  weirs, 
ventilators,  foundation  walls,  and  embankments,  with  a  diagram  showing  the 
same,  including  the  conduit,  iron  pipes  for  crossing  Charles  River  and  Brighton 


54  [1845. 

valleys,  and  the  Reservoir  at  Corey's  Hill.     The  estimate  of  the  cost  they 
make  $1,681,599,  exclusive  of  distribution. 

They  give  the  following  table  as  the  result  of  the  gauging  of  the  pond, 
from  August  1st,  to  October  31st,  1845,  inclusive  —  with  the  number  of 
sets  of  observations  taken  each  day,  and  the  times  during  which  the  mills 
that  used  the  water  were  in  motion. 


AUGUST. 

SEPTEMBEE. 

OCTOBEK. 

5  a 

•o  a 

<w  ■ 

c  an  u  n 

0 

a 

0) 

0  2 
.a  "^ 

a 

f  > 

CO   u 

.  0  d 

A  0  -P 

a) 

^1 

4h    ■ 

1 

5 

18,395,100 

H.  M. 
13.30 

8 

H.  M. 

12.30 

11,987,291 

10 

H.  M. 

11.00 

11,814,393 

2 

5 

13,568,270 

12.10 

8 

12.12 

14,242,929 

11 

11.11 

10,173,457 

3 

Sunday. 

I 

8 

12.20 

13,066,512 

9 

10.55 

10,370,187 

4 

5 

15,537,945 

12.35 

7 

12.30 

13,416,097 

9 

10.53 

.  10,222,042 

5 

7 

16,089,836 

13.20 

11 

16.47 

13,703,622 

Sunday. 

G 

5 

12,512,571 

12.40 

11 

12.30 

12,707,843 

10 

10.52 

11,773,619 

7 

4 

14,838,112 

12.45 

Sunday. 

7 

6.51 

6,680,058 

8 

5 

14,341,108 

12.45 

11 

13.28 

14,752,949 

10 

10.36 

10,882,872 

9 

5 

13,362,919 

11.45 

11 

12.05 

14,639,028 

8 

10.47 

11,167,070 

10 

Sunday. 

13 

13.00 

15,537,755 

14 

10.45 

11,073,891 

11 

6 

15,848,997 

13.30 

10 

12.00 

13,111,554 

8 

10.27 

12,488,735 

12 

3 

7,430,274 

6.10 

8 

12.05 

10,888,254 

Sunday. 

13 

5 

J4,813,036 

12.45 

9 

11.25 

13,208,975 

9 

10.45 

12,762,057 

14 

7 

15,304J25 

13.25 

Sunday. 

7 

10.44 

11,414,582 

15 

7 

14,891,084 

12.40 

10 

11.55 

11,969,785 

9 

10.39 

12,479,289 

10 

7 

12,800,148 

12.22 

9 

11.50 

14,806,701 

10 

11.14 

12,434,276 

17 

Sunday. 

8 

11.34 

11,255,862 

11 

11.04 

12,423,050 

18 

7 

15,355,304 

12.38 

10 

11.41 

11,895,761 

10 

10.48 

10,612,546 

19 

6 

15,321,716 

12.45 

11 

11.38 

10,786,355 

Sunday. 

20 

7 

14,005,572 

12.20 

11 

11.16 

9,723,070 

11 

10.40 

10,451,591 

21 

6 

13,262,025 

12.40 

Sunday. 

9 

10.40 

11,115,918 

22 

6 

14,987,296 

12.35 

10 

11.37 

11,775,087 

11 

11.02 

10,347,727 

23 

6 

13,105,936 

11.45 

12 

11.19 

12,681,922 

10 

10.56 

10,871,026 

24 

Sunday. 

9 

11.14 

11,704,548 

11 

10.54 

9,373,485 

25 

7 

14,122,804 

12.03 

9 

11.24 

11,342,658 

12 

10.31 

10,155,253 

26 

6 

15,609,747 

12.45 

10 

11.21 

11,866,196 

Sunday. 

27 

9 

12,809,547 

12.35 

10 

11.00 

10,669,611 

11 

10.35 

10,034,812 

28 

6 

15,542,877 

12.45 

Sunday. 

8 

10.38 

8,926,567 

29 

7 

15,944,013 

12.40 

8 

11,05 

12,360,029 

10 

10.34 

8,901,081 

30 

6 

9,537,078 

11.38 

10 

11.10 

10,553,213 

10 

10.21 

7,841,547 

31 

1 

Sunday. 

9 

10.20 

8,205,331 

1845.]  ^  55 

The  character  of  the  waters,  with  an  analysis  of  each,  by  Benjamin  Silliman, 
Jr.,  is  given, 

Mr.  Silliman  states,  in  his  Report  on  the  analysis  of  the  waters,  that  they 
were  given  him  by  nmnbers  only,  without  any  designation  of  their  localities, 
and  that  he  was  still  ignorant  of  their  sources  at  the  time  his  report  was 
made.  According  to  his  analysis.  Long  Pond  stood  No.  1,  Spot  Pond  No.  2, 
and  Charles  River  No.  3. 

Of  the  quantity  to  be  supplied,  they  state,  after  giving  the  consumption  of 
London,  which  they  put  at  ISSf^g-  gallons  per  house,  and  that  of  Philadelphia 
at  218  gallons,  "We  shall  therefore  base  our  estimate  on  30  gallons  to  each 
person  per  day,  as  an  average  daily  supply  for  the  year.  " 

Reviewing  the  several  sources,  they  say :  "  In  conclusion,  it  may  be 
remarked  that  in  view  of  the  whole  subject,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  stating 
as  our  opinion,  that  Long  Pond  is  decidedly  the  most  appropriate  source  to 
which  the  City  can  resort,  to  obtain  an  adequate  supply  of  pure  and  wholesome 
water,  for  the  present  and  future  use  of  its  inhabitants ;  and  that  it  will  not 
be  a  larger  provision,  in  view  of  the  probable  growth  of  the  City,  than  is  desir- 
able in  works  of  this  character  and  magnitude.  "  It  is  further  stated  that 
10,000,000  gallons  per  day  could  be  brought  from  Long  Pond  at  an  expense 
of  $2,651,643,  including  distribution;  and  that  7,500,000  gallons  per  day 
from  Charles  River  would  cost,  including  distribution,  $2,733,580. 

December  22d,  the  following  Resolve  was  passed  by  the  City  Government. 

Hesolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  City  at  its  own  expense,  to  begin  and 
complete  the  necessary  works  for  the  introduction  of  a  full  supply  of  pure  water 
from  Long  Pond,  as  soon  as  the  requisite  power  can  be  obtained  from  the  Legis- 
lature. 

This  Resolve  was  then  referred  to  the  next  City  Government.  (City 
Documents  on  subject  of  Water,  for  the  year  1845,  Nos.  12^,  27,  29,  40,  41.) 


[1846. 


CHAPTER     VII. 

1846. 

Mayor  Quincy's  Address  —  Committee  on  Water  chosen  —  Application  made  to  the  Legis- 
lature—  Act  passed  —  Acceptance  of  the  Act  by  a  vote  of  the  Citizens  —  The  Act  — 
Eesolves  passed  relating  to  Contracts  —  Ordinance  passed  to  regulate  the  proceedings 
of  the  Commissioners  —  Appointment  of  James  F.  Baldwin,  Nathan  Hale  and  Thomas 
B.  Curtis  as  Commissioners  —  Their  acceptance  —  Eeport  of  Committee  on  Finance  — 
Communication  from  the  Commissioners  —  Citizens  furnished  with  Long  Pond  water 
for  the  first  time  —  Ground  first  broken  and  by  whom  —  Name  of  Long  Pond  changed  to 
Lake  Cochituate  —  Memorials  in  relation  to  the  supply  of  water  from  Jamaica  Pond  — 
Memorial  of  Joseph  W.  Coburn  and  others,  in  relation  to  the  transactions  of  the  Water 
Commissioners  —  Report  of  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  several  Petitions. 

On  January  5th,  1846,  the  Mayor,  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  in  his  Inaugural 
Address,  says :  "  As  to  the  introduction  of  water  into  the  City,  the  time  of 
deliberation  is  past ;  the  time  of  action  has  come.  A  competent  and  disin- 
terested Commission  has  decided  that  Long  Pond  is  the  source  from  which 
this  blessing  is  to  be  derived,  and  our  fellow-citizens  have  conferred  upon  the 
present  administration,  the  honor  of  commencing  this  important  work.  As 
'  he  gives  twice,  who  gives  quickly,'  I  would  urge  an  immediate  application 
to  the  Legislature  for  the  necessary  powers,  and  I  doubt  not,  when  the  power 
is  granted,  it  will  be  your  endeavor,  as  it  will  be  mine,  to  insure  to  every 
citizen  the  enjoyment  of  the  blessing  for  the  longest  possible  time,  by  intro- 
ducing it  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment." 

On  January  8th,  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen,  the  Mayor 
being  its  chairman,  to  whom  was  referred  that  part  of  the  Mayor's  address 
above  mentioned,  to  consider  and  report  what  action  was  necessary  thereon. 
On  the  15th,  they  reported,  recommending  the  passage  of  the  following 
Orders,  which  passed  both  branches  of  the  City  Council :  "  Ordered,  that  the 
Mayor  be  instructed  to  make  application  to  the  Legislature  forthwith,  for  such 


1846.]  57 

powers  as  are  necessary  for  the  introduction  and  distribution  throughout  the 
City,  of  water  from  Long  Pond  in  Framingham." 

"  Ordered,  that  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Water  be  authorized  to 
take  such  measures  on  the  subject  as  they  may  deem  expedient  to  further  the 
objects  of  the  foregoing  order." 

Application  was  at  once  made  to  the  Legislature  and  was  referred  to  a 
Committee,  who  reported  an  Act,  which  was  passed,  and  signed  by  the  Gover- 
nor, March  30th,  1846. 

As  the  Act  provided  that  it  should  be  submitted  to  the  people  for  their 
acceptance  or  rejection  within  thirty  days  from  the  passage  thereof,  the  Citi- 
zens were  assembled  at  their  various  ward  rooms,  on  the  13th  of  April,  to  vote 
yea  or  nay  upon  the  question  of  its  acceptance.  -  On  the  following  day,  the 
Board  of  Aldermen  examined  the  returns,  and  reported  the  votes  as  follows : 
yeas,  4,637  j  nays,  348.  It  was  ordered  that  the  result  be  published  in  the 
newspapers. 

The  Act  as  accepted  is  the  one  now  in  force,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

In  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six. 

AN   ACT, 

FOR    SUPPLYING   THE    CITT    OF    BOSTON    WITH    PURE    WATER. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court  assem- 
bled^ and  by  the  authority  of  the  same  as  follows : 

Section  1.  The  City  of  Boston  is  hereby  authorized,  by  and  through  the 
agency  of  three  Commissioners,  to  be  appointed  in  the  manner  hereinafter  pro- 
vided, to  take,  hold  and  convey,  to,  iato  and  through  the  said  City,  the  water  of 
Long  Pond,  so  called,  in  the  towns  of  Natick,  Wayland  and  Framingham,  and 
the  waters  that  may  flow  into  and  from  the  same,  and  any  other  ponds  and 
streams  within  the  distance  of  four  miles  from  said  Long  Pond,  and  any  water 
rights  connected  therewith  ;  and  may  also  take  and  hold,  by  purchase  or  other- 
wise, any  land  or  real  estate  necessary  for  laying  and  maintaining  aqueducts  for 
conducting,  discharging,  disposing  of,  and  distributing  water,  and  for  forming 
reservoirs  ;  and  may  also  take  and  hold  any  land  on  and  around  the  margin  of 
said  Long  Pond,  not  exceeding  five  rods  in  width,  measuring  from  the  verge  of 
said  pond  when  the  same  shall  be  raised  to  the  level  of  eight  feet  above  the  floor 
of  the  flume,  at  the  outlet  thereof,  and  on  and  around  the  said  other  ponds  and 
streams  so  far  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  preservation  and  purity  of  the  same, 
for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  a  supply  of  pure  water  for  the  said  City  of  Boston. 

The  City  of  Boston  shall,  within  sixty  days  from  the  time  they  shall  take  any 
8 


58  [1846. 

lands  or  ponds  or  streams  of  water,  for  the  purpose  of  this  act,  file,  in  the  office  of 
the  Registr}^  of  Deeds  for  the  county  where  they  are  situate,  a  description  of  the 
lands,  ponds,  or  streams  of  water  so  taken,  as  certain  as  is  required  in  a  common 
conveyance  of  lands,  and  a  statement  of  the  purpose  for  which  taken  ;  wMch  said 
description  and  statement  shall  be  signed  by  the  said  Maj^or. 

Section  2.  The  said  city  may  by  vote  through  the  same  agency,  make  and 
build  one  or  more  permanent  aqueducts  from  any  of  the  aforesaid  water  sources, 
to,  into  and  through  the  said  city,  and  secure  and  maintain  the  same  by  any 
works  suitable  therefor ;  may  connect  the  said  water  sources  with  each  other ; 
may  erect  and  maintain  dams  to  raise  and  retain  the  waters  therein  ;  may  make  and 
maintain  reservoirs  within  and  without  the  said  city  ;  may  make  and  establish  such 
public  hydrants  in  such  places  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  deemed  proper,  and 
prescribe  the  purposes  for  which  they  may  be  used,  and  may  change  or  discontinue 
the  same ;  may  distribute  the  water  throughout  the  city,  and  for  this  purpose 
may  lay  down  pipes  to  any  house  or  building  in  said  city,  the  owner,  or  owners 
thereof,  having  notice  and  not  objecting  thereto  ;  may  regulate  the  use  of  the 
said  water  within  and  without  the  said  city,  and  establish  the  prices  or  rents  to 
be  paid  therefor.  And  the  said  city  may,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  carry  and 
conduct  any  aqueduct,  or  other  works  by  them  to  be  made  and  constructed, 
over  or  under  any  water-course,  or  any  street,  turnpike-road,  railroad,  highway, 
or  other  way,  in  such  manner  as  not  to  obstruct  or  impede  travel  thereon  ;  and 
may  enter  upon,  and  dig  up  any  such  road,  street,  or  way,  for  the  purpose  of 
laying  down  pipes  beneath  the  surface  thereof,  and  for  maintaining  and  repairing 
the  same ;  and,  in  general,  may  do  any  other  acts  and  things  necessary,  or 
convenient  and  proper,  for  the  purposes  of  this  act. 

Section  3.  Three  Commissioners  shall  be  appointed  by  the  City  Council,  who 
shall,  during  their  continuance  in  office,  execute  and  perform,  and  superintend 
and  direct  the  execution  and  performance  of  all  the  works,  matters  and  things 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  sections  which  are  not  otherwise  specially  provided 
for  in  this  act ;  they  shall  be  subject  to  such  ordinances,  rules  and  regulations,  in 
the  execution  of  their  said  trust,  as  the  City  Council  may,  from  time  to  time, 
ordain  and  establish,  not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  and  the  laws 
of  this  Commonwealth.  They  shall  respectively  hold  their  offices  for  the  term  of 
three  years,  next  after  their  said  appointment,  unless  the  aqueducts  and  works 
aforesaid  shall  be  sooner  completed ;  but  they,  or  either  of  them,  after  having 
had  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  in  his  or  their  defence,  may  be  removed  at  any 
time  by  a  concurrent  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  City  Council ;  and 
in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  by  death,  resignation  or 
removal,  such  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of  another  Commissioner, 
in  manner  aforesaid,  who  shall  hold  his  said  office  for  the  residue  of  the  said  term 
of  three  years,  with  all  the  powers,  and  subject  to  all  the  restrictions  aforesaid. 
A  major  part  of  said  Commissioners  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  exercise  of  the 
powers,  and  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  said  office.     They  shall,  once  in 


1846.]  59 

every  six  months,  and  whenever  required  by  the  City  Council,  make  and  present, 
in  writing,  a  particular  report  and  statement  of  all  their  acts  and  proceedings, 
and  of  the  condition  and  progress  of  the  works  aforesaid. 

Section  4.  Before  the  appointment  of  the  Commissioners  aforesaid,  the  City 
Council  shall  establish  and  fix  the  salaries  or  compensation  to  be  paid  to  the 
Commissioners  for  their  services,  and  the  said  salaries  of  the  said  Commissioners, 
so  established  and  fixed  as  aforesaid,  shall  not  be  reduced  during  their  continu- 
ance, respectively,  in  said  office. 

Section  5.  Whenever  the  said  office  of  Commissioners  shall  cease,  either  by 
the  expiration  of  the  said  term  of  three  years  from  the  original  appointment,  or  by 
the  completion  of  the  aqueducts,  and  works  mentioned  in  the  preceding  sections 
of  this  act,  all  the  rights,  powers  and  authority  giA^en  to  the  City  of  Boston  by 
this  act,  shall  be  exercised  by  the  said  city,  subject  to  all  the  duties,  liabilities 
and  restrictions  herein  contained,  in  such  manner  and  by  such  agents,  officers  and 
servants,  as  the  Cit}^  Council  shall  from  time  to  time  ordain,  appoint  and  direct. 

Section  6.  The  said  City  of  Boston  shall  be  liable  to  pay  all  damages  that 
shall  be  sustained  by  any  persons  in  their  property  by  the  taking  any  land,  water, 
or  water  rights,  or  by  the  constructing  of  any  aqueducts,  reservoirs,  or  other 
works  for  the  purposes  of  this  act. 

And  if  the  owner  of  any  land,  water,  or  water  rights,  which  shall  be  taken  as 
aforesaid,  or  other  persons  who  shall  sustain  damage  as  aforesaid,  shall  not  agree 
upon  the  damages  to  be  paid  therefor,  he  may  apply  by  petition,  for  the  assess- 
ment of  his  damages,  at  anj-  time  within  three  years  from  the  taking  of  the  said 
land,  water,  or  water  rights  as  aforesaid,  and  not  afterwards,  to  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  in  the  county  in  which  the  same  are  situate  ;  such  petition  may 
be  filed  in  the  clerk's  office  of  said  Court,  in  vacation  or  in  term-time,  and  the  clerk 
shall  thereupon  issue  a  summons  to  the  City  of  Boston,  returnable  if  issued  in 
vacation,  to  the  next  term  of  the  said  Court,  and  if  in  term-time,  retm-nable  on  such 
day  as  the  said  Court  shall  order,  to  appear  and  answer  to  the  said  petition ;  the 
said  summons  shall  be  served  fourteen  days  at  least  before  the  return  day  thereof, 
by  leaving  a  copy  thereof,  and  of  the  said  petition,  certified  by  the  officer  who 
shall  serve  the  same,  with  the  Mayor  or  clerk  of  the  said  city ;  and  the  said 
Court  may,  upon  default  iu  hearing  of  the  said  city,  appoint  three  judicious  and 
disinterested  freeholders  of  this  Commonwealth  who  shall,  after  reasonable  notice 
to  the  parties,  assess  the  damages,  if  any,  which  such  petitioner  may  have  sus- 
tained as  aforesaid  ;  and  the  award  of  the  said  freeholders,  or  of  the  major  part 
of  them,  being  returned  into  and  accepted  by  the  said  Court,  shall  be  final,  and 
judgment  shall  be  rendered,  and  execution  issued  thereon,  for  the  prevaiUng  party, 
with  costs,  unless  one  of  the  said  parties  shall  claim  a  trial  by  jmy  as  hereinafter 
provided. 

Section  7.  If  either  of  the  parties  mentioned  in  the  preceding  section,  shall 
be  dissatisfied  with  the  amount  of  damages  awarded  as  therein  expressed,  such 
party  may,  at  the  term  at  which  such  award  was  accepted,  or  the  next  term 


60  [1846. 

thereafter,  claim,  in  writing  a  trial  in  said  Court,  and  have  a -jury  to  hear  and 
determine  at  the  bar  of  said  Court,  all  questions  of  fact  relating  to  such  damages, 
and  to  assess  the  amount  thereof;  and  the  verdict  of  such  jury  being  accepted 
and  recorded  by  the  said  Court,  shall  be  final  and  conclusive,  and  judgment  shall 
be  rendered  and  execution  issued  thereon  ;  and  costs  shall  be  recovered  by  the 
said  parties  respectively,  in  the  same  manner  as  is  provided  by  law,  in  regard  to 
proceedings  relating  to  the  laying  out  of  highways. 

Section  8.  No  application  shall  be  made  to  the  Court  for  the  assessment  of 
damages  for  the  taking  of  any  water  rights,  until  the  water  shall  be  actually 
withdrawn  or  diverted  by  the  said  city  under  the  authority  of  this  act ;  and  any 
person  or  corporation  whose  water  rights  may  be  thus  taken  and  affected,  may 
make  his  application  aforesaid,  at  any  time  within  three  years  from  the  time  when 
the  watex's  shall  be  first  actually  withdrawn  or  diverted  as  aforesaid. 

Section  9.  For  the  purpose  of  defraying  all  the  costs  and  expenses  of  such 
lands,  estates,  waters  and  water  rights,  as  shall  be  taken,  purchased  or  held  for 
the  purposes  mentioned  in  this  act,  and  of  constructing  all  aqueducts  and  works 
necessary  and  proper  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  said  purposes,  and  all 
expenses  incident  thereto,  the  City  Council  shall  have  authority  to  issue,  from 
time  to  time,  notes,  scrip,  or  certificates  of  debts,  to  be  denominated  on  the  face 
thereof,  "  Boston  Water  Scrip,  "  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  in  the  whole,  the 
sum  of  three  millions  of  dollars,  bearing  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  the 
legal  rate  of  interest  in  this  Commonwealth  ;  and  said  interest  shall  be  paj^able 
semi-annually,  and  the  principal  shall  be  payable  at  periods  not  more  tlian  forty 
years  from  the  issuing  of  the  said  scrip,  notes  or  certificates  respectivel3\  And 
the  said  City  Council  may  sell  the  same,  or  any  part  thereof  from  time  to  time, 
at  public  or  private  sale,  or  pledge  the  same  for  money  borrowed  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid,  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  the  said  City  Council  shall  judge 
proper. 

Section  10.  In  addition  to  the  sum  of  thi"ee  millions  of  dollars  mentioned  in 
the  preceding  section,  the  said  City  Council  may,  whenever  and  so  far  as  maj'^  be 
necessary,  issue  and  dispose  of  notes,  scrip,  or  certificates  of  debt,  in  the  manner 
prescribed  in  the  preceding  section,  to  meet  all  payments  of  interest  which  may 
accrue  upon  any  scrip  by  them  issued  :  Provided  hotvever,  that  no  scrip  shall  be 
Issued  for  the  payment  of  interest  as  aforesaid,  after  the  expiration  of  two  years 
from  the  completion  of  said  aqueducts  and  other  works  ;  but  payment  of  all 
interest  that  shall  accrue  after  that  time,  shall  be  made  from  the  net  income, 
rents,  and  receipts  for  the  use  of  tlie  water,  if  tliey  shall  be  sufficient  for  that 
purpose,  and  if  not,  then  the  payment  of  the  deficiency  shall  be  otherwise  pi'o- 
vided  for  by  the  City  Council.  All  notes,  scrip,  and  certificates  to  be  issued 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  signed  by  the  Treasurer,  and  Auditor,  and  countersigned  by 
the  Mayor  of  the  said  city,  and  a  record  of  all  such  notes,  scrip,  and  certificates 
shall  be  made  and  kept  by  the  said  Treasurer  and  Auditor  resiDCctively. 

Section  11.     The  City  Council  shall,  from  time  to  time,  regulate  the  price  or 


1846.]  61 

rents  for  the  use  of  the  water,  with  a  view  to  the  payment,  from  the  net  income, 
rents  and  receipts  therefor,  not  only  of  the  semi-annual  interest,  but  ultimately 
of  the  principal  also  of  the  "  Boston  Water  Scrip,"  so  far  as  the  same  may  be 
practicable  and  reasonable.  And  the  said  net  surplus  income,  rents  and  receipts, 
after  deducting  all  expenses  and  charges  of  distribution,  shall  be  set  apart  as  a 
Sinking  Fund,  and  shall  be  appropriated  for  and  towards  the  payment  of  the 
principal  and  interest  of  the  said  scrip ;  and  shall,  under  the  management, 
control,  and  direction  of  the  Mayor,  Treasurer,  and  Auditor  of  the  City,  or  the 
major  part  of  them  for  the  time  being,  who  shall  be  trustees  of  the  said  fund,  be 
applied  solely  to  the  use  and  purpose  aforesaid,  until  the  said  scrip  shall  be  fully 
paid  and  discharged.  And  the  said  trustees  shall,  whenever  thereto  required  by 
the  City  Council,  render  a  just,  true  and  full  account  to  the  said  City  Council  of 
all  their  receipts,  payments,  and  doings,  under  the  provisions  of  this  section. 

Section  12.  At  any  time  after  the  expiration  of  two  years  from  the  comple- 
tion of  the  works  mentioned  in  the  second  section  of  this  act,  and  before  the 
reimbursement  of  the  principal  of  the  "  Boston  Water  Scrip  "  hereinbefore  men- 
tioned, if  the  surplus  income  and  receipts  for  the  use  of  the  water  distributed 
under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  at  the  price  established  by  the  Cit^;-  Council, 
after  deducting  all  expenses  and  charges  of  distribution,  shall,  for  any  two  suc- 
cessive years,  be  insufficient  to  pay  the  accruing  interest  on  the  said  scrip,  then 
the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  on  the  petition  of  one  hundred  or  more  of  the  legal 
voters  of  the  said  city,  praying  that  the  said  price  ma}^  be  raised  and  increased 
so  far  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  paying,  from  the  said  surplus 
income  and  receipts,  the  said  accruing  interest,  and  upon  due  notice  of  the  pen- 
dency of  such  petition  given  to  the  said  city  in  such  manner  as  the  said  Court 
shall  order,  may  appoint  three  Commissioners,  who,  upon  due  notice  to  the  parties 
interested,  may  raise  and  increase  the  said  price,  if  they  shall  judge  proper,  so 
far  as  may  be  necessary,  in  their  judgment,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  no 
further.  And  the  award  of  said  Commissioners,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  being 
returned  to  the  said  Court,  at  the  then  next  term  thereof,  for  the  county  of  Suf- 
folk, and  accepted  by  the  said  Court,  shall  be  binding  and  conclusive,  for  the 
tei-m  of  three  years  next  after  the  said  acceptance,  and  until  the  price  so  fixed  by 
the  Commissioners  shall,  after  the  expiration  of  said  term,  be  changed  or  altered 
by  the  City  Council. 

Section  13.  If  the  surplus  income  and  receipts  for  the  use  of  the  water  dis- 
tributed under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  at  the  price  established  by  the  City 
Council,  after  deducting  all  expenses  and  charges  of  distribution,  shall,  for  any 
two  successive  years,  be  more  than  sufficient  to  pay  the  accruing  interest  on  the 
"Boston  Water  Scrip,"  hereinbefore  mentioned,  then  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court,  on  the  petition  of  one  hundred  or  more  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  said  city, 
who  may  deem  the  said  price  unreasonably  high,  and  pray  for  a  reduction  thereof, 
and  upon  due  notice  of  the  pendency  of  said  petition  given  to  the  said  city  in 
such  manner  as  the  said  Court  shall  order,  may  appoint  three  Commissioners, 


62  [-1846. 

who,  upon  due  notice  to  the  parties  interested,  may,  if  they  shall  judge  proper, 
reduce  tlie  price  established  by  the  City  Council,  provided,  that  sucli  reduction 
shall  not  be  so  great  that  the  surplus  income  and  receipts  aforesaid  will,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  said  Commissioners,  be  thereafter  insufficient  for  the  payment  of 
the  said  accruing  interest.  And  the  award  of  the  said  Commissioners,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  being  returned  and  accepted  as  mentioned  in  the  preceding 
section,  shall  be  binding  and  conclusive,  in  the  same  manner,  and  to  the  same 
extent,  as  therein  provided  in  regard  to  awards  made  pursuant  to  the  provisions 
of  that  section. 

And  the  said  Court  may,  at  their  discretion,  order  the  costs  on  such  petitions 
as  are  mentioned  in  this  and  the  preceding  section,  and  of  the  proceedings 
thereon,  or  any  part  thereof,  to  be  paid  by  either  of  the  said  parties,  and  may 
enter  judgment  and  issue  execution  therefor  accordingly. 

Section  14.  The  occupant  of  any  tenement  shall  be  liable  for  the  payment  of 
the  price  or  rent  for  the  use  of  the  water  in  such  tenement ;  and  the  owner 
thereof  shall  be  also  liable  if,  on  being  notified  of  such  use,  he  does  not  object 
thereto  ;  and  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  use  any  of  the  said  water,  either 
within  or  without  the  city,  without  the  consent  of  the  city,  an  action  of  trespass 
on  the  case  may  be  maintained  against  him  or  them,  by  the  said  city,  for  the 
recovery  of  damages  therefor ;  provided,  Jiowever,  that  this  act  shall  not  be  so 
construed  as  to  prevent  the  inhabitants  of  Natick,  Framingham,  Sherburne  and 
Wayland,  from  using  so  much  of  the  water  hereby  granted  as  shall  be  necessary 
for  extinguishing  fires,  and  for  all  ordinary  household  purposes,  under  such  regu- 
lations of  the  said  City  Council  as  maj'^  be  essential  for  the  preservation  of  the 
purity  of  the  same. 

Section  15.  If  any  person  or  persons  shall  wantonly  or  maliciously  divert  the 
water,  or  any  part  thereof  of  any  of  the  ponds,  streams  or  water  sources  which 
shall  be  taken  by  the  city  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  or  shall  corrupt 
the  same,  or  render  it  impure,  or  destroy  or  injure  any  dam,  aqueduct,  pipe,  con- 
duit, hydrant,  machinery,  or  other  property  held,  owned  or  used  by  the  said  city 
by  the  authority  and  for  the  purposes  of  this  act,  every  such  person  or  persons 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  to  the  said  city  three  times  the  amount  of  damages  that  shall 
be  assessed  therefor,  to  be  recovered  by  any  proper  action.  And  every  such  per- 
son or  persons  may  moreover,  on  indictment  and  conviction  of  either  of  the  wanton 
and  malicious  acts  aforesaid,  be  punished  by  fine,  not  exceeding  one  thousand 
dollars,  and  imprisonment  not  exceeding  one  year. 

Section  16.  The  said  City  of  Boston  is  hereby  authorized  to  purchase  and 
hold  all  the  property,  estates,  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Aqueduct  Corporation 
incorporated  by  an  act  passed  February  twenty-seventh,  in  the  year  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  ninety-five,  and  by  any  convenient  mode  may  connect  the  same 
with  their  other  works. 

Section  17.  The  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  Boston,  shall  notify  and 
warn  the  legal  voters  of  the  said  city  to  meet  in  their  respective  wards  on  such 


1846.] 


63 


day  as  the  said  Mayor  and  Aldermen  shall  direct,  not  exceeding  thirty  days  from 
and  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  their  written  votes 
upon  the  question,  whether  they  will  accept  the  same  ;  and  if  a  majority  of  the 
votes  so  given  upon  the  question  aforesaid  shall  be  in  the  negative,  this  act  shall 
be  null  and  void. 

Section  18.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 


Passed  to  be  enacted. 


House  of  Representatives,  March  30,  1846. 


SAMUEL  H.  WALLEY,  Jr.,  Speaker. 


Passed  to  be  enacted. 

Approved. 
March  30,  1846. 


In  Senate,  March  30,  1846. 
W.  B.  CALHOUN,  President. 

GEORGE  N.  BRIGGS. 


At  the  time  of  the  acceptance  of  this  Act,  nearly  every  ward  in  the  city 
had  an  association  called  the  Water  Union  ;  these  associations  used  every 
means  in  their  power  to  obtain  the  Act,  and  to  get  it  accepted  by  the  people. 

April  21st,  1846,  the  following  Resolve  was  referred  by  the  City  Council 
to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  reported  in  favor  thereof,  and  it  was 
passed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Boston  Water  Commissioners,  in  all  their  contracts,  require 
security  for  the  faithful  payment  of  all  the  Mechanics  and  other  laborers  em- 
ployed on  the  works. 

The  same  day  the  Committee  were  authorized  and  empowered  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  and  agreements  in  regard  to  the  Ponds  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Long  Pond  and  tributary  to  the  Concord  River,  to  secure  the 
same  for  the  use  of  the  city,  if  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  it  should  be 
expedient  so  to  do. 

An  Ordinance  was  passed  by  the  City  Council  to  regulate  the  proceedings 
of  the  Commissioners  to  be  appointed  under  the  Act;  section  first  of  which 
provided  that  the  Commissioners  should  receive  a  salary  of  $3,500  per  annum 
each,  payable  quarterly. 

Section  second,  that  they  should  have  full  power  and  authority  to  take  or 
purchase  land,  make  contracts,  and  provide  materials. 


64  [1846. 

Section  third,  made  it  the  duty  of  the  Commissioners  to  take  the  entire 
charge,  and  oversee  the  construction  of  tlie  works. 

Section  fourth,  provided  that  they  should  furnish  the  City  Council  with 
estimates  from  time  to  time,  to  enable  them  to  raise  the  required  funds. 

Section  fifth,  provided  that  they  should  make  a  return  to  the  Mayor  of  all 
estates  taken,  with  a  full  description  of  the  same. 

Section  sixth,  provided  that  in  the  event  of  any  lawsuit,  the  Commissioners 
should  aid  and  assist  the  Counsel  employed  to  defend  the  same. 

Section  seventh,  provided  that  they  should  keep  a  correct  Record  of  their 
proceedings,  and  that  they  should  report  in  writing,  once  a  month,  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Water ;  and  once  in  three  months,  to  the  City  Council. 

Section  eighth,  gave  the  Commissioners  power  to  draw  drafts  on  the  Treas- 
urer from  time  to  time,  to  pay  expenses ;  said  drafts  first  being  countersigned 
by  the  Mayor. 

Section  ninth,  provided  that  the  above  Ordinance  could  be  altered  or 
amended,  except  the  clause  relating  to  the  salaries  of  the  Commissioners,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  City  Council.  (See  City  Document  No.  14^,  for 
1846.) 

On  the  fourth  day  of  May,  Messrs.  James  F.  Baldwin,  Nathan  Hale  and 
Thomas  B.  Curtis,  were  chosen  by  the  City  Council  as  the  Commissioners 
under  the  Act,  and  were  duly  notified  of  their  election,  which  they  accepted 
on  the  eleventh. 

On  the  day  of  their  acceptance,  the  Committee  on  Finance  were  ordered  to 
consider  and  report  what  financial  arrangements  are  necessary  to  provide  the 
funds  required  for  carrying  on  the  work.  They  reported,  June  2 2d,  the  fol- 
lowing Order,  which  was  adopted.  "  Ordered,  that  the  Mayor  be  authorized 
under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  to  negotiate  a  loan  or  loans, 
binding  upon  the  City,  and  receivable  by  its  Treasurer,  for  an  amount  not 
exceeding  Five  Millions  and  a  half  of  dollars,  payable  at  such  times  and 
places,  and  on  such  conditions  and  rates  of  interest,  as  the  Committee  on 
Finance  shall  approve,  within  the  authority  granted  by  the  Statutes  for  intro- 
ducing water  into  the  City  of  Boston."  They  also  stated  in  their  Report, 
that  the  sum  of  $500,000  would  be  required  for  the  financial  year  ending 
May  12th,  1847;  $1,000,000  during  the  next  year,  and  the  balance  in  the 
third ;  and  that  the  Commissioners  said,  that  they  know  of  no  reason  why 
the  expense  should  exceed  the  estimate  of  $2,651,643 ;  the  Committee 
however,  assume  the  cost  at  $3,000,000. 


i-'it  A  M  I  \  r;  II  AM 


■\~^'^l'i^Lii 


1846.]  65 

The  Commissioners,  not  considering  themselves  vested  with  sufficient 
power  to  carry  out  an  agreement  with  the  owner  of  Long  Pond,  which 
they  considered  desirable,  sent  a  communication  to  that  effect  to  the  City 
Council,  June  15th.  On  the  17th,  the  following  Order  was  passed  :  "  Ordered, 
that  the  Standing  Committee  on  Water  be  authorized  to  purchase  such  lands 
and  buildings  as  will  be  necessary  for  the  construction  of  the  aqueduct  and 
reservoirs  in  the  introduction  of  the  water  from  Long  Pond." 

On  July  4th,  the  Citizens  were  supplied  on  Boston  Common  with  Long 
Pond  Water,  for  the  first  time ;  this  was  accomplished  by  the  enterprise  of  a 
few  of  our  citizens,  who  had  the  same  brought  into  the  city  in  barrels  for  that 
purpose. 

THE   GEOUND  WAS   FIRST  BROKEN 
FOR 

THE    AQUEDUCT    AT    LONG    POND, 

Aug.  20th,   1846, 

And  on  that  day  the  name  was  changed  from 

LONG  POND, 

TO 

LAKE     COCHITUATEj 
Jits    Original  Indian    Appellation. 

For  an  account  of  the  Ceremonies  on  that  occasion,  see  Part  n.,  Chapter 
L,  Page  97. 


October  26th,  a  Memorial  was  received  from  Edward  A.  Raymond  and 
others,  and  on  the  28th,  another  from  Josiah  Bradlee  and  others,  respecting 
the  supply  from  Jamaica  Pond,  and  asking  the  city  to  adopt  such  measures  as 
may  be  deemed  expedient  to  relieve  them  from  their  present  difficulty  in 
obtaining  a  supply  of  water ;  these  memorials  were  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Water.  Joseph  W.  Coburn  and  others  sent  in  a  Memorial,  December  16th, 
requesting  information  upon  the  subject  of  the  appointments  made  by  the 
Water  Commissioners,  of  Engineers  and  others  ,•  this  was  also  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Water,  but  was  not  reported  on  by  them  until  the  following 
year,  as  hereinafter  mentioned. 

During  this  and  the  following  years,  several  Communications  and  Reports 
were  made  by  the  Commissioners  to  the  City  Council,  but  as  they  more  appro- 
priately belong  under  the  head  of  the  transactions  of  the  Water  Commissioners, 
we  shall  refer  to  most  of  them  there. 

9 


66  [1846. 

December  17th,  the  Committee  on  Water  made  their  report  on  the  petitions 
of  Edward  A.  Raymond  and  others,  and  Josiah  Bradlee  and  others.  They 
say:  That  they  consider  the  petition  equivalent  to  a  request  that  the  city 
should  purchase  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  under  the  authority  granted  in 
the  Water  Act,  and  that  they  had  applied  to  the  Water  Commissioners  to 
obtain  their  opinion  as  to  its  value ;  and  that  they,  in  their  reply,  recommend 
its  purchase,  if  it  can  be  made  for  the  sum  of  $80,000.  This  price  is  the 
estimated  value  of  the  property  and  franchise  in  the  hands  of  the  present 
proprietors  after  the  introduction  of  water  by  the  city.  To  the  city,  it 
would  be  of  greater  value.  (City  Documents  on  subject  of  Water,  for 
year  1846,  Nos.  14^,  20,  21,  26,  32,  47.) 


1847.] 


CHAPTEK     VIII. 

1847. 

Committee  on  "Water  chosen  —  Petition  of  Silas  P.  Barnes  and  others  In  relation  to  the 
transactions  of  the  Commissioners  —  Report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred 
the  Petition  of  Coburn  and  others,  and  Barnes  and  others  —  Communication  of  Water 
Commissioners  on  the  subject  of  the  Petitions  —  Hearing  on  the  Petitions  —  Instructions 
to  Committee  on  Streets  and  Sewers  —  Petition  of  C.  W.  Cartwright  and  others  to  have 
Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  enlarged  —  Commissioners'  notice  that  they  had  decided  to 
enlarge  it  —  Service-pipes  ordered  to  be  laid  —  Ordinance  for  sale  of  land  —  Report  of 
Finance  Committee  —  Compensating  Reservoirs. 

On  January  11th,  1847,  the  Committee  on  Water  was  appointed,  Mayor 
Quincy,  Chairman. 

On  the  1 8th,  a  Petition  was  received  from  Silas  P.  Barnes  and  others, 
praying  that  information  may  be  given  to  them  and  to  the  public  respecting 
the  manner  in  which  certain  contracts  have  been  made,  and  officers  appointed 
by  the  Water  Commissioners.  This  Petition,  together  with  that  of  Joseph  W. 
Coburn  and  others,  before  mentioned,  were  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Water,  who  made  their  Eeport,  on  the  1 7th  of  February,  as  follows  :  "  That 
after  an  ex  parte  hearing  of  the  petitioners,  they  called  upon  the  Water  Commis- 
sioners for  a  written  statement  of  their  doings  as  they  related  to  contracts  and 
appointments,  and  in  general  for  all  information  on  the  subject  that  could  be 
communicated  without  prejudice  to  the  interests  of  the  City.  In  reply  to  their 
request,  they  received  the  accompanying  Report,  which  in  the  unanimous 
opinion  of  your  committee,  entirely  exonerates  the  Commissioners  from  the 
charge  or  suspicion  of  having  neglected  or  lost  sight  of  the  true  interests  of 
the  City  in  the  contracts  or  appointments  therein  referred  to ;  and  it  is  the 
request  of  the  Petitioners  and  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee  that  a 
large  number  of  copies  of  this  Report  and  the  accompanying  documents  be 
printed  for  the  use  of  the  Council  and  others  interested." 

The  communication  of  the  Water  Commissioners  referred  to,  covers  over 


68  [1847. 

thirty  pages,  giving  the  estimates  received,  also  the  contract  and  specification 
for  the  construction  of  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir.  That  the  complaint  may 
be  more  fully  understood,  we  give  the  following  extract  from  the  Report. 

"  The  complaints  of  the  petitioners,  on  which  the  principal  stress  has  been 
placed,  are  founded  on  the  supposed  proceedings  of  the  Commissioners,  in 
awarding  the  contracts  for  the  important  work  of  building  the  City  Reservoir 
on  Beacon  Hill.  These  complaints  are  set  forth  in  the  petition  in  the 
following  words: 

'  That  while  ostensibly  sealed  'proposals  were  to  be  the  medium  of  other  and  larger 
contracts,  and  that  such  contracts  were  to  be  given  to  the  lowest  bidder  who  could 
and  would  furnish  good  and  sufficient  bonds  for  the  performance  of  the  same,  they 
have  not  so  proceeded.  That  they  have  (as  we  believe)  disregarded  the  more 
favorable  estimates  proposed  by  citizens  of  this  city  for  the  performance  of  said 
work,  who  ivere  abundantly  able  and  willing  to  perform  the  said  contracts  and 
give  the  required  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  thereof. 

'  That  an  unjust  and  undue  preference  was  shown  to  others,  and  that  contracts 
were  entered  into  ivithout  regard  to  suck  sealed  proposals,  and  without  that  publicity 
which  would  insure  their  accomplishment  at  the  least  cost  to  the  city. 

'  That  by  so  doing,  many  thousands  of  dollars  have  been,  and  are  being,  need- 
lessly expended,  adding  greatly  to  the  heavy  taxes  with  which  the  public  is  already 
burdened. 

'  That  we,  feeling  aggrieved  that  a  due  regard  has  not  been  paid  to  the  proposals 
of  our  citizens,  and  an  explanation  of  the  causes  ivhich  led  to  this  disregard  of 
said  proposals  not  having  been  satisfactorily  given,  when  requested  by  those  whose 
interests  are  deeply  affected,  thereby  casting  a,n  imputation  of  incompetency -^upon 
our  Boston  Mechanics,  to  the  manifest  injury  of  their  reputation,  and  the  great 
detriment  of  the  public,  etc.'' 

"  The  Commissioners  cannot  forbear  to  express  their  surprise  that  imputa- 
tions and  charges  of  so  grave  a  character  should  have  been  made  against 
them,  unsupported  by  a  particle  of  truth.  There  is  no  foundation  in  fact  for 
one  of  the  complaints  in  their  elaborate  enumeration,  as  the  following  state- 
ment of  the  material  circumstances  of  the  case  will  fully  show. 

"  The  contract  in  question  was  awarded  on  the  5th  December,  to  Messrs. 
Daniel  Carmichael,  Joseph  Gonder,  Jr.,  J.  S.  T.  Stranahan,  John  DuflF, 
Edward  Learned  &,  Sons,  and  Lewis  Stoddard,  gentlemen  of  high  reputation 
as  contractors  on  public  works,  and  some  of  them  of  great  experience  in  the 
execution  of  works  of  similar  character  to  that  to  be  here  executed,  and  of 
even  greater  magnitude." 

They  then  go  on  at  some  length  in  regard  to  the  character  of  the  work 


1847.]  69 

required,  and  the  importance  of  its  being  done  well,  and  in  the  time  specified ; 
and  state  that  there  were  nineteen  proposals  received,  and  that  the  four  lowest 
offers  were  rejected  after  careful  consideration,  for  specific  reasons  j  none  of 
these,  however,  were  from  the  signers  to  the  petition.  All  the  bids  were  given 
in  detail,  and  the  quantities  were  estimated  before  the  estimates  were  opened 
bj  the  engineer :  the  accepted  bid,  according  to  his  quantities,  amounted  to 
$158,050,  and  this  was  the  lowest  responsible  offer.  They  then  give  the  esti- 
mates of  several  of  the  petitioners  made  on  the  same  basis :  Messrs.  Wheth- 
erbee,  Coburn  &  Co.,  $164,406;  Mr.  Nelson  Curtis,  of  Roxbury,  $162,354; 
Messrs  Johnson,  Richards,  Munn  &  Co.,  0.  T.  Rogers,  and  T.  Hollis,  Jr., 
$158,575 ;  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Whetherbee  &  Co.,  $177,642.75.  "  These  state- 
ments show  that  the  contract  complained  of  was  not  only  ostensibly  but 
actually  given  to  the  lowest  bidder  who  could  give  a  satisfactory  warranty  of 
its  performance ;  that  more  favorable  estimates  proposed  by  citizens  of  Boston 
were  not  disregarded,  for  none  such  were  offered ;  and,  consequently,  that  no 
imputation  of  incompetency  has  been  cast  upon  the  mechanics  or  citizens  of 
Boston  by  the  non-acceptance  of  their  proposals." 

They  close  their  Report  by  saying :  "  It  must  be  unnecessary  to  occupy  the 
time  of  the  Committee  in  replying  to  the  intimations  that  the  Commissioners 
have  been  induced,  through  the  influence  of  the  engineers,  to  give  a  preference 
to  proposals  for  contracts  from  strangers  over  those  of  our  own  citizens ;  such 
intimations  are  as  unjust  to  the  engineer  as  they  are  injurious  to  the  Commis- 
sioners, being  as  destitute  of  truth,  as  they  will  doubtless  be  regarded  of  pro- 
bability." \ 

This  reply  of  the  Commissioners  was  not  satisfactory  to  the  petitioners,  and 
they  asked  to  have  a  hearing;  and,  on  the  15th  of  March,  the  whole  subject  was 
referred  back  to  the  Committee,  with  instructions  to  give  the  parties  a  hearing, 
which  they  did  on  April  13th.  The  petitioners  appeared  by  their  counsel,  J. 
C.  Park  and  George  D.  Wilmot,  Esqrs. ;  the  Water  Commissioners  were  noti- 
fied, but  did  not  attend  At  this  hearing  the  argument  on  the  part  of  the  peti- 
tioners was  based  on  the  quantities  of  each  kind  of  work  that  it  would  take  to 
build  the  Reservoir,  which,  according  to  their  estimate,  would  have  given  them 
the  contract  by  $1,268;  but,  on  the  other  side,  Mr.  Whitwell  made  a  statement 
to  the  Committee  that  he  estimated  the  quantities  of  each  kind  of  work  as  near 
as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  would  admit ;  this  he  said  was  done  before 
any  propositions  were  opened,  and  when  opened,  each  was  estimated  by  it, 
which  gave  the  contract  to  Messrs.  Gonder  &  Co.  The  Committee,  in  their 
Report,  review  the  whole  case,  and  conclude  with  declaring  unanimously, 
that   nothing  has   been  shown  to  justify  the  complaints,  and   that,  in  their 


70  [1847. 

opinion,  the  power  of  making  contracts  is  judiciously  intrusted  to  the  discretion 
of  the  Water  Commissioners,  and  recommend  that  the  petitioners  have  leave 
to  withdraw  their  petitions. 

April  14th,  the  Committee  on  Streets  and  Sewers  were  ordered  to  render 
every  assistance  to  the  Commissioners  to  facilitate  the  distribution  of  water 
within  the  limits  of  the  city. 

On  the  same  day,  a  petition  was  received  from  C.  W.  Cartwright  and 
others,  asking  that  the  Beacon  Hill  Eeservoir  might  be  made  larger  by  the 
addition  of  the  Bowdoin  School-house  and  the  buildings  on  Temple  Street, 
which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water ;  but  as  the  Commissioners 
gave  notice,  May  1 7th,  that  they  had  decided  to  enlarge  the  same  by  taking  the 
buildings  proposed  by  the  petitioners,  they  made  no  report  thereon. 

An  order  was  passed  on  June  8th,  1847,  directing  that  the  service-pipes 
should  be  laid  at  the  same  tune  as  the  mains,  as  far  as  it  could  be  done  with 
due  regard  to  the  public  interest. 

To  meet  the  case  of  more  land  being  purchased  than  would  be  required  for 
the  Reservoirs  and  other  works,  and  of  any  after  sale  or  leasing  of  the  same, 
and  to  insure  that  the  amount  received  therefor  should  be  applied  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  pure  water,  the  follow- 
ing Ordinance  was  passed  July  7th : 

"  The  Joint  Committee  on  Public  Lands,  in  concurrence  with  the  Water 
Commissioners,  are  hereby  authorized  to  make  sale,  conveyance  or  lease  of 
any  lands  or  property  which  may  have  been  purchased  or  conveyed  to  the 
City,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  water,  or  that  may  hereafter  be  so  pur- 
chased or  conveyed,  the  proceeds  of  such  sales  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes 
of  the  Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  pure  water." 

On  July  20th,  the  Committee  on  Finance  made  a  Report,  in  which  they 
state  that  they  advertised  from  the  30th  of  April  to  July  8th,  for  proposals 
for  a  loan  of  $1,000,000  at  5  per  cent  interest,  and  on  the  latter  day,  the 
bids  were  opened,  and  the  stock  apportioned  to  the  highest  bidders,  and 
that  it  was  taken  at  an  average  of  about  ninety-four  for  one  hundred. 

September  27th,  Samuel  W.  Hall  and  others  petitioned  the  City  Govern- 
ment that  the  water  from  Lake  Cochituate  might  be  carried  to  East  Boston ; 
and  on  October  20th,  a  memorial,  from  Franklin  Haven  and  others,  was 
received  in  aid  of  the  petition  of  Samuel  W.  Hall  and  others.  These  were 
both  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  did  not  report  until  the  follow- 
ing year.  >' 

November  8th,  1847,  an  order  was  passed  requesting  the  Commissioners  to 


1847.]  71 

give  their  opinion  as  to  the  best  material  to  be  used  for  the  service-pipes,  also 
to  obtain  the  opinion  of  the  Consulting  Physicians  on  the  same  subject. 

At  this  time,  the  Commissioners  thought  it  best  to  build  Compensating 
Reservoirs,  to  serve  as  a  substitute  for  the  waters  which  might  be  diverted 
from  Concord  River,  and  at  their  request  the  following  order  was  passed. 

^^  Ordered,  That  the  Water  Commissioners  be  authorized  to  make  such 
purchases  of  lands  and  water  rights  in  the  name,  and  on  account  of  the  City 
of  Boston,  and  to  erect  such  dams,  embankments,  and  other  works,  as  they 
shall  deem  necessary  and  expedient  for  forming  Reservoirs  of  water  to  serve 
as  a  substitute  for  the  waters  which  may  be  diverted  from  Concord  River, 
and  to  make  payment  therefor,  in  the  same  manner  as  for  lands  and  water 
rights  purchased  by  virtue  of  the  act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with 
pure  water :  Provided,  the  same  does  not  exceed  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand 
dollars."  (City  Documents  on  the  subject  of  Water,  for  year  1847,  Nos.  18 
19,27,28,29,30,43,44.) 


[1848. 


CHAPTER     IX 

1848 

Committee  on  Water  chosen  —  Petition  to  the  Legislature  for  additional  power  —  Service- 
pipes  to  be  laid  at  the  expense  of  the  city  —  The  Pipe  over  the  Boston  and  "Worcester 
Kail  Pioad  Bridge  —  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  subject  of  carrying  the  water  to 
East  Boston  —  Commissioners'  Report  on  the  best  material  for  Service  pipes— Celebration 
on  the  Introduction  of  the  water  into  the  City  —  Discussion  on  Water  Rates  —  City  Soli- 
citor's opinion  on  the  subject  —  Memorial  of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  Corporation  — 
Report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  the  Memorial  was  referred  —  Ordinance  to  further 
regulate  the  proceedings  of  the  Water  Commissioners. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen  on  the  10th  of  Jan.  1848; 
and  on  the  31st,  the  Mayor  was  authorized  to  petition  the  Legislature 
for  additional  power,  so  as  to  make  temporary  loans  and  to  pay  the  same  off 
when  the  loan  of  $3,000,000  was  negotiated,  as  provided  for  in  the  act  for 
introducing  water. 

March  8  th,  an  order  was  passed  that  the  Service-pipes  should  be  put  in  at 
the  expense  of  the  City.  This  was  done  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Water,  with  the  advice  and  approval  of  the  Commissioners. 

May  15th,  the  Commissioners  sent  in  a  communication  in  which  they  say: 
"  That  they  find  serious  difficulties  in  carrying  the  main  pipes  leading  from 
the  Brookline  Reservoir  across  the  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad  Bridge,  at 
Tremont  Street.  After  a  careful  consideration,  they  have  come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  only  eligible  mode  is  to  carry  the  pipe  over  the  bridge,  either 
upon  the  westerly  sidewalk,  or  tlu^ough  the  middle  of  the  roadway. 

"  In  either  case  the  two  pipes,  with  the  box  in  which  it  will  be  necessary  to 
enclose  them,  will  occupy  a  space  of  about  seven  feet  in  width,  and  two  feet  if 
on  the  sidewalk,  or  two  and  a  half  feet  if  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  above  the 
surface  of  the  street.  The  Commissioners  are  therefore  desirous  of  obtaining 
the  consent  of  your  Board,  to  the  laying  of  the  pipes  in  one  or  the  other  of 
those  modes,  and  also  your  opinion  as  to  the  mode  which  is  liable  to  the  least 


1848.]      •  _  73 

objection,"  This  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Paving,  who  reported  in 
favor  of  laying-  the  pipes  in  the  westerly  sidewalk,  an  Order  for  which  was 
passed. 

During  the  month,  the  Committee  on  Water  made  their  Report  on  the  Peti- 
tion of  S.  W.  Hall  and  others,  of  November  1847,  that  the  water  from  Lake 
Cochituate  might  be  carried  to  East  Boston,  giving  the  petitioners  leave  to' 
withdraw  their  petition.  This  was  done  for  reasons  set  forth  by  the  Water 
Commissioners  in  a  Report  made  by  them  to  the  committee.  In  the  petition 
referred  to,  it  was  suggested  to  accomplish  this  object  by  means  of  an  arched 
gallery,  of  six  feet  internal  diameter,  through  which  a  water  and  a  gas  pipe 
may  be  laid  under  the  bed  of  the  channel  from  the  Peninsula  to  East  Boston. 

The  Commissioners  in  their  Report  state  that  there  had  been  careful  surveys 
and  soundings  made ;  and  after  giving  their  opinion  as  to  the  structure  of  the 
earth  on  both  sides,  and  a  statement  of  the  Thames  Tunnel  in  England,  which 
was  an  enterprise  undertaken  after  two  other  projects  for  the  same  object  had 
failed,  they  add  that  the  Thames  Tunnel  is  a  work  far  inferior  in  magnitude  to 
that  proposed  by  the  petitioners.  The  width  of  the  Thames,  at  that  part  at  which 
the  tunnel  crosses  it,  is  one  thousand  and  thirteen  feet ;  that  of  the  water 
between  Boston  and  East  Boston  is  twenty-two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  the 
depth  of  the  water  in  the  Thames  is  less,  by  at  least  fifteen  feet,  than  it  is  in 
the  East  Boston  channel.  The  water  of  the  Thames  repeatedly  broke  into  the 
tunnel  during  the  progress  of  the  excavation,  and  the  work  was  only  accom- 
plished by  building  strong  interior  walls  of  brick  masonry,  surmounted  by  an 
arch,  as  the  tunnel  advanced."  They  close  their  Report,  which  covers  eleven 
pages,  by  saying :  "  The  Commissioners  are  therefore  of  opinion  that  it  is  inex- 
pedient to  adopt  any  measures  for  conveying  water  across  the  channel  to  East 
Boston  by  means  of  a  submarine  tunnel,  as  recommended  by  the  petitioners." 

August  14th,  the  Commissioners  sent  in  their  Report,  covering  sixty-seven 
pages,  on  the  best  material  to  be  adopted  for  distributing  water  pipes.  The 
Board  of  Consulting  Physicians  made  their  Report,  on  the  same  subject,  on 
April  5th,  without  recommending  any  material. 

As  this  is  a  question  in  which  all  the  citizens  are  interested,  many  extracts 
will  be  taken  from  that  Report  of  the  Commissioners.  They  say:  The 
Board  of  Consulting  Physicians  made  a  Report  on  the  various  substances 
which  have  been  used  for  water  pipes,  to  which  they  have  given  careful  atten- 
tion.    The  authors  of  the  Report  do  not,  however,  recommend  any  material 

10 


74  [1848 

for  the  use  above  specified,  nor  have  they  expressed  an  opinion  as  to  that 
which  is  entitled  to  a  preference  for  this  purpose. 

They  have  expressed  the  opinion  that  ^^  pipes  of  cast  or  wrought  iron,  may 
be  safely  used  for  the  transmission  of  water  as  far  as  health  is  concerned," 
but  they  do  not  recommend  their  use.  They  state,  on  the  contrary,  that 
"  iron  is  easy  of  oxidation,"  that  it  "  impairs  the  purity  of  the  water,  and  in 
small  pipes  is  liable  to  obstruction  from  the  accumulation  of  its  oxide." 

They  have  expressed  the  opinion  that  copper  pipes,  effectually  tinned 
throughout  by  reliable  workmen,  are  a  safe  material  for  the  transmission  of 
water,  "  so  long  as  the  internai  coating  keeps  in  repair,"  but  the  guarded  terms, 
in  which  this  opinion  is  stated,  imply  a  doubt  of  the  durability  of  such  an 
internal  coating. 

They  state  that  leaden  pipes,  in  certain  waters,  and  under  certain  circum- 
stances, are  known  to  communicate  a  highly  deleterious  quality  to  their 
contents,  yet  that  "  a  large  portion  of  the  population  of  Boston,  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  and  London,  have  for  years  consumed  the  water  introduced  from 
various  sources  through  leaden  pipes,  with  apparent  impunity;"  but,  as  has 
been  remarked  above,  they  do  not  recommend  the  use  of  this  or  any  other 
material. 

The  Water  Commissioners  were  therefore  under  the  necessity  of  deciding 
independently  of  any  such  recommendation,  by  the  aid  of  such  information  as 
they  were  able  to  obtain  from  the  above  Report,  and  from  other  sources. 

They  say,  "  In  coming  to  a  decision  upon  the  question,  we  have  given  care- 
ful attention  to  the  information  and  opinions  of  the  scientific  gentlemen  who 
replied  to  the  inquiries  addressed  to  them  by  the  Board  of  Consulting  Physi- 
cians, and  particularly  to  the  results  of  the  very  thorough  investigation  and 
experiments  of  Professor  Horsford,  of  Harvard  University.  These  results 
appear  to  us  to  be  of  great  value,  and  in  corrobation  of  the  great  mass  of 
evidence  derived  from  a  very  extensive  observation  of  the  use  of  leaden  pipes 
for  the  supply  of  cities  and  towns,  for  a  long  series  of  years,  entirely  satis- 
f3,ctory  and  conclusive." 

They  then  state,  that  while  this  investigation  was  going  on,  they  had  been 
^sing  one  and  a  half  and  two  inch  diameter  iron  pipes  5  that  the  cost  of  this 
description  of  pipes,  including  the  laying  down,  was  much  higher  than  lead. 
f  There  is  also  a  further  objection  to  the  use  of  these  pipes,  that  with  the 
greatest  caution  which  can  be  used  in  laying  them,  they  are  more  liable  to  be 
broken  than  pipes  of  lead,  or  other  flexible  metal.  In  the  mean  time,  we 
have  given  attention  to  experiments  which  have  been  made  of  pipes  construc- 
ted of  various  other  materials.     Tin  has  been  used  for  coating  the  internal 


1848.]  75 

surface  of  pipes  of  iron,  lead  and  copper,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  them 
against  the  action  of  the  water.  Pipes  of  each  of  these  descriptions  have 
been  strongly  recommended,  on  some  limited  experience,  but  we  are  of  opinion 
that  there  is  not  sufficient  evidence  of  the  durability  of  the  coating,  in  eithe^ 
form,  to  justify  its  adoption  for  general  use.  Pipes  of  block  tin  appear  to  be 
in  some  respects  preferable  to  either  description  of  those  formed  of  other 
metals,  and  merely  coated  with  tin.  The  cost  of  tin  per  pound  is  about  four 
times  that  of  lead,  but  as  it  is  of  greater  tenacity  than  lead,  a  smaller  quantity 
of  metal  serves  to  give  the  pipes  a  sufficient  degree  of  strength,  so  that  pipes 
composed  of  block  tin,  of  a  suitable  thickness,  can  be  procured  at  about 
double  the  cost  of  pipes  of  equal  strength  composed  of  lead.  But  the  experi- 
ments detailed  in  the  report  of  Professor  Horsford,  as  well  as  information 
derived  from  other  sources,  show  that  tin  is  gradually  dissolved  by  the 
Cochituate  and  other  similar  waters ;  and  that  the  decomposition  does  not  in 
a  short  time  cease,  like  that  of  lead  in  the  same  water,  but  continues,  as  far 
as  any  experiment  has  been  made,  indefinitely.  Tin  is  liable  to  rapid  decom- 
position, by  being  brought  in  contact  externally  with  certain  acids  and  gases, 
to  which  in  various  positions,  it  will  be  exposed.  Whether  any  sensibly 
deleterious  effect  upon  the  water  is  produced  by  the  gradual  decomposition  of 
the  tin  pipe,  is  a  question  which  has  not  been  satisfactorily  determined ;  but 
for  reasons  briefly  stated,  we  are  of  opinion  that,  independently  of  the  question 
of  comparative  cost,  tin  is  no  better  adapted  for  the  distribution  of  the  water 
of  Cochituate  Lake,  than  lead,  and  that  probably  it  would  prove  less  durable. 

"  Pipes  manufactured  of  malleable  iron  are  used  to  some  extent,  in  various 
places,  for  the  distribution  of  water  for  domestic  uses.  They  are,  in  every 
respect,  well  adapted  to  the  purpose,  with  the  exception  of  their  liabilities  to 
corrode  by  the  action  of  the  water  within,  as  well  as  the  effects  of  moisture  on 
the  external  surface.  They  are  stronger  than  lead,  and  not  more  expensive. 
They  can  be  made  of  any  desirable  dimensions,  and  are  not  liable,  like  cast- 
iron,  to  be  broken  by  an  unequal  pressure  on  the  different  parts.  The  expe- 
rience of  their  use,  however,  so  far  as  it  has  come  to  our  knowledge,  is  too 
limited  to  enable  us  to  form  a  positive  judgment  of  the  force  of  the  objection 
above  mentioned. 

"  It  has  been  apprehended  that  the  effect  of  rust  would  be  such  as  to  render 
the  water  unfit  for  use  in  the  washing  of  clothes  and  linen,  and  that  in  process 
of  time,  it  would  close  the  aperture  of  the  pipe. 

"Pipes  formed  of  sheet  iron,  coated  internally  with  hydraulic  cement^ 
have  been  recently  introduced,  and  they  promise  to  be  highly  useful  under 
certain  circumstances.     Where  laid  in  the  earth,  and  in  situations  exposing 


76  [1848. 

tliem  externally  to  moisture,  tliey  are  protected  by  a  covering  of  hydraulic 
cement,  which,  besides  preserving  the  iron  against  rust,  gives  an  additional 
strength  to  the  pipe.  Whether  they  can  be  economically  used  for  the  distri- 
bution of  water  from  the  mains  has  not  been  fully  determined  by  any  experi- 
ment within  our  knowledge." 

After  speaking  of  the  experiments  made  by  Professor  Horsford,  they  say : 
"These  experiments  demonstrate  that  the  action  of  the  comparatively  pure 
water  of  lakes  and  rivers  upon  bright  bars  of  lead,  which  on  their  immersion 
in  it,  is  distinctly  perceptible,  ceases  after  a  period  of  a  few  days  ;  and  this  imme- 
diate action  of  the  ivater  vpon  the  surface  of  lead,  forms  a  coating,  which  for  all 
'practical  purposes  is  impervious  to  water,  and  entirely  insoluble  in  it.  This  coating 
remains  unchanged  during  any  period  in  which  it  has  thus  far  been  immersed*; 
its  appearance  after  some  months  or  years  of  immersion,  in  the  case  of  the 
Croton,  is  quite  the  same  as  within  three  or  four  days  from  the  first  immer- 
sion. The  water  on  the  first  and  second  days  in  which  the  lead  is  so 
immersed,  and  during  the  continuance  of  any  perceptible  action  on  the  surface 
of  the  leaden  bars,  shows  traces  of  a  mixture  of  lead,  on  trial  by  the  ordinary 
tests ;  but  on  the  repeated  removal  of  this  water,  and  substitution  of  other 
water  from  the  same  sources  after  the  coating  is  formed,  no  trace  of  lead  is 
discoverable  by  the  most  effective  tests,  after  any  length  of  exposure  of  the 
water  to  contact  with  the  lead,  which  will  ordinarily  occur. 

"  It  has,  however,  never  been  doubted  by  those  who  have  investigated  this 
subject,  that  the  water  of  wells  and  springs  of  ceHain  descriptions,  and  in  certain 
situations,  exerts  a  much  more  powerful  and  a  continued  effect  upon  lead  with 
which  it  comes  in  contact,  and  that  cases  of  paralysis,  cholic,  and  even  death, 
have  been  traced  to  the  drinking  of  water  contaminated  by  this  poisonous 
mixture.  The  negative  evidence  that  no  well  authenticated  cases  of  these 
diseases  have  occurred,  in  consequence  of  drinking  the  waters  furnished  by  the 
Public  Water  Works  of  the  Cities  of  London,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and 
many  other  places,  when  distributed  through  leaden  pipes,  authorizes  the  belief 
that  the  scattered  cases  of  disease  of  this  description,  which  have  been  usually 
traced  to  the  use  of  water  from  wells  and  springs,  have  arisen  from  some 
property  peculiar  to  the  water  from  those  sources,  and  are  not  common  to 
water  derived  from  lakes  and  rivers.  " 

After  speaking  of  experiments  made  by  Professor  Horsford,  they  say :  "that 
in  a  letter  from  him  dated  July  25th,  he  expressed  the  following  opinion; 
'  without  an  attempt  at  further  enumeration  of  the  conclusions  at  which  I  have 
arrived,  I  may  state,  with  whatever  emphasis  uninterrupted  investigation  from 
the  first  of  last  February  until  now  may  justly  give  to  the    opinion,  that 


1848.]  77 

Cochituate  water  may  he  served  from  leaden  pipes,  connected  with  iron  mains, 
without  detriment  to  health.'  The  opinion  here  expressed  would  command  a 
high  degree  of  confidence  if  it  stood  alone.  Confirmed  as  it  is  by  an  abund- 
ance of  collateral  testimony,  derived  from  long  experience,  we  consider  it 
entitled  to  entire  confidence."  They  then  give  the  testimony  from  several 
parties  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  London,  Paris,  Baltimore,  Albany,  Troy, 
and  several  other  places,  all  confirming  the  opinion  expressed  by  Professor 
Horsford;  and  add, "we  have  therefore,  on  these  considerations,  reso'ved  to  use 
leaden  pipes,  for  conducting  the  water  to  houses."  "  Having  thus  expressed 
our  views  in  regard  to  the  material  of  which  the  pipes  should  be  composed, 
we  proceed  to  comply  with  the  Order  of  the  City  Council,  requesting  our 
opinion  '  as  to  the  best  and  most  economical  mode  of  introducing  water  into 
private  houses.'  "  From  this  part  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  we  make 
the  following  extract :  "  The  pipes  should  be  five-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
weighing  about  three  pounds  to  a  foot  in  length,  and  be  carried  through  such 
part  of  the  cellar  as  will  aflFord  the  best  protection  from  frost ;  and  in  con- 
ducting the  pipes  through  a  house,  they  should  be  carried  near  a  chimney,  or  in 
such  position  that  they  will  be  protected  against  freezing. 

"  All  pipes  not  thoroughly  protected,  should  be  laid  with  such  an  inclination 
as  will  admit  of  their  being  emptied,  when  there  is  danger  from  cold,  by 
opening  a  discharge  cock,  to  be  placed  at  the  lowest  point. 

"  Pipes  passing  through  coal  cellars  and  other  exposed  places,  should  be 
carefully  protected;  all  'pipes  should  be  so  placed  as  to  be  accessible, 
for  examination  or  repair;  and  to  every  stopcock  should  be  attached  a 
vacant  pipe,  or  other  air  chamber  above  it,  which,  by  the  compression  of  the 
air  on  the  sudden  shutting  off  of  the  water,  may  serve  to  relieve  the  pipe  from 
the  shock  of  what  is  called  the  water  hammer.  Otherwise,  on  account  of  the 
rapidity  of  the  current,  from  the  pressure  of  so  high  a  head  of  water  as  will 
rest  on  the  pipes  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  city,  they  will  be  liable  to 
burst,  or  to  be  gradually  expanded  by  repeated  shocks." 

This  Report  was  signed  by  two  of  the  Commissioners,  Messrs.  Hale  and 
Curtis. 


On  the  Eleventh  of  September,  the  Commissioners  notified  the  City  Council 

that  THE  MAIN  PIPE  FOR  CONDUCTING  THE  WATER  INTO  THE  CITY  WOULD  BE  LAID 
ON  OR  BEFORE  THE  25tH  DAY  OF  THE  ENSUING  OCTOBER,  A.  D.  1848;  AND 
WOULD  BE  IN  READINESS  FOR  INTRODUCING  THE  WATER  ON  THAT  DAY. 


78 


[1848. 


An  Order  was  passed,  directing  an  appropriate  Public  Celebeation  of  the 
event,  and  on  the  18th  of  September,  the  following  Committee  were  chosen 
to  arrange,  and  superintend  the  Celebration. 

JosiAH  QuiNCT,  Jr.,  Mayor. 

Benjamin  Seaver,  President  of  Common  Council. 


Aldermen : 

William  Pope, 

John  P.  Ober, 

Billings  Br 

igga 

? 

Moses  Grant. 

Common 

Council : 

Abel  B.  Munroe, 

Ward  1 

J.  P.  Bradlee,                  Ward 

Henry  Davis, 

"     2 

William  A.  Harrington,       " 

Thomas  Critehett, 

"     3 

Tisdale  Drake,                        " 

Samuel  W.  Hall, 

"     4 

Samuel  Wales,  Jr.,               " 

W.  W.  Greenough, 

"     4 

G.  W.  Frothingham,             " 

Wm.  D.  Coolidge, 

"     5 

Joseph  Smith,                       " 

John  P.  Putnam, 

"     6 

9 
10 
11 
12 


It  was  decided  that  the  Celebration  should  take  place  on  the  twenty-fifth  day 
of  October,  1848,  and  "as  an  appropriate  form  of  celebration,  to  invite  the 
Citizens  of  the  Metropolis,  with  such  of  the  Public  Officers,  the  Municipal 
Authorities,  the  Militia,  various  Public  Bodies,  and  Institutions  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, as  might  be  disposed  to  accept  the  invitation,  to  unite  in  a  proces- 
sion embracing  a  cavalcade  and  military  escort,  and  to  be  present  on  the 
introduction  of  water  at  the  Fountain  on  the  Common." 

The  invitations  were  generally  accepted.  The  weather  was  propitious  and 
at  the  break  of  day,  a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns,  accompanied  by  the  ringing 
of  the  bells,  opened  the  ceremonies."  At  an  early  hour  the  streets  were  filled 
with  people,  attracted  by  the  decorations,  mottoes  and  devices,  by  which  the 
principal  avenues  through  which  the  procession  was  to  pass,  were  embellished. 
These  were  very  numerous,  well  arranged,  and  in  good  taste,  and  some  of 
them  extremely  beautiful. 


1848.]  79 

The  Procession  was  under  the  direction  of  Francis  Tukey,  Esq.,  as  Chief 
Marshal,  who  was  assisted  by  the  following  Aids  and  Assistant  Marshals. 


Gen.  John  S.  Tyler, 
Gen.  Josiah  L.  C.  Amee, 
Col.  William  Schouler, 
John  T.  Heard, 
Henry  N.  Hooper, 
George  G.  Smith, 
Col.  Newell  A.  Thompson, 
John  C.  Tucker, 


Moses  Kimball, 
Capt.  Robert  B.  Forbes, 
Ebenezer  Dale, 
Dr.  J.  W.  Warren, 
Capt.  Gilbert  Brownell, 
Hon.  John  C.  Park, 
Peter  C.  Jones, 
Gideon  F.  Thayer. 


The  Order  of  the  Procession  was  as  follows.  First,  Military  Escort, 
consisting  of  about  thirty  companies  from  all  parts  of  the  State,  who  were 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  B.  F.  Edmunds. 

Second,  The  Fire  Companies  of  the  City  and  neighboring  cities  and 
towns,  dressed  in  their  various  uniforms. 

Third,  Tlie  Cavalcade,  which  was  a  very  numerous  body  of  horsemen. 

Fourth,  The  Civil  Procession  in  eight  divisions.  The  first  division  was 
under  the  direction  of  Hon.  John  C.  Park,  as  Chief  Marshal,  assisted  by 
Edmund  Dexter  and  Charles  L.  Woodbury,  Esqrs.,  as  Aids,  and  comprised 
Public  Officers  of  the  City,  State,  and  United  States,  City  and  Town  Au- 
thorities throughout  the  State,  and  Scientific,  Historical,  Musical  and  other 
Societies. 

The  second  was  under  the  direction  of  George  G.  Smith,  as  Chief  Marshal, 
assisted  by  Capt.  Granville  Mears  and  Joseph  M.  Wightman,  as  Aids,  and  com 
prised  the  various  Mechanical  Associations  and  the  Marketmen  of  Boston  and 
vicinity.  The  difierent  sections  of  this  division  exhibited  appropriate  emblems 
of  their  various  occupations. 

The  third  was  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Newell  A.  Thompson,  as  Chief 
Marshal,  assisted  by  Maj.  George  M.  Thatcher  and  Hamilton  Willis,  as  Aids, 
and  consisted  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  throughout  the  New  England  States. 

The  fourth  was  under  the  direction  of  John  C.  Tucker,  as  Chief  Marshal, 
assisted  by  James  Egan  and  Peter  Higgins,  as  Aids,  and  consisted  of  the  Scots' 
Charitable  Society,  and  the  various  Irish  societies. 

The  fifth  was  under  the  direction  of  Moses  Kimball,  as  Chief  Marshal, 
assisted  by  Dr.  D.  Harwood  and  Amos  W.  Dana,  as  Aids,  and  consisted  of  the 
various  Temperance  societies  throughout  the  New  England  States. 

The  sixth  was  under  the  direction  of  Capt,  Robt.  B.  Forbes,  as  Chief  Mar- 
shal, assisted   by  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.  and  William  B.  Bemis,  as  Aids,  and 


80  [1848. 

consisted  of  the  various  Marine  societies,  Seamen,  and  Boat  clubs  of  Boston 
and  vicinity. 

Tlie  seventh  was  under  the  direction  of  Gideon  F.  Thayer,  as  Chief  Mar- 
shal, assisted  by  B.  B.  Mussey  and  Abel  Tompkins,  as  Aids,  and  consisted  of 
the  various  Water  Unions,  Citizens,  and  the  Masons  employed  on  the  Water 
Works. 

The  eio-hth  was  under  the  direction  of  Ebenezer  Dale  as  Chief  Marshal 
assisted  by  Daniel  Sharp,  Jr.,  and  Henry  C.  Wainwright,  as  Aids,  and  consisted 
of  the  Children  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Boston,   Charlestown,  Cambridge, 
Roxbury  and  Chelsea,  the  Farm  School  and  Orphan  Asylum,  and  the  Sisters  of 
Charity,  with  Children  over  eight  years  of  age. 

The  Fire  Department  was  under  the  direction  of  Peter  C.  Jones  as  Chief 
Marshal,  assisted  by  Thomas  A.  Williams  and  Henry  Hart  as  Aids. 

The  route  of  the  Procession  was  through  Tremont,  Court,  Cambridge^ 
Chambers,  Green,  Pitts,  Merrimac,  Blackstone,  Salem,  Charter,  Hanover, 
Richmond,  Commercial,  South  Market,  around  Faneuil  Hall,  Merchants'  Row, 
State,  Washington,  Warren  and  Tremont  streets  to  the  Common  through  Park 
Street  gate.     It  took  about  two  hours  for  the  whole  to  pass  a  given  point. 

The  Services  on  the  Common  were  brief,  on  account  of  the  lateness  of  the 
hour  at  which  the  procession  reached  the  spot ;  they  were  as  follows  : 

First,  Hymn  by  George  Russell,  Esq.,  which  was  sung  by  the  Handel  and 
Haydn  Society  and  the  audience. 

Second,  Prayer  by  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,  D.D. 

Third,  Ode  by  James  Russell  Lowell,  Esq.,  which  was  sung  by  the  School 
children. 

Fourth,  Address  by  the  Hon.  Nathan  Hale,  one  of  the  Water  Commis- 

eiONERS. 

Fifth,  Address  by  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Mayor  of  Boston. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Mayor's  Address,  he  asked  the  Assembly  if  it  were 
their  pleasure  that  the  water  should  now  be  introduced.  An  immense  number 
of  voices  responded,  "  Aye  !  "  Whereupon  the  gate  was  gradually  opened,  and 
the  water  began  to  rise  in  a  strong  column,  six  inches  diameter,  increasing 
rapidly  in  height,  until  it  reached  an  elevation  of  eighty  feet. 

After  a  moment  of  silence,  shouts  rent  the  air,  the  bells  began  to  ring,  can- 
non were  fired,  and  rockets  streamed  across  the  sky.  The  scene  was  one  of 
intense  excitement,  which  it  is  impossible  to  describe,  but  which  no  one  can 
forget.  In  the  evening,  there  was  a  grand  display  of  fireworks,  and  all  the 
public  buildings  and  many  of  the  private  houses  were  brilliantly  illuminated. 


1848.]  81 

There  having  been  some  discussion  as  to  -whether  the  Water  Rates  were  to 
be  fixed  by  the  City  Council  or  the  Water  Commissioners,  the  following 
Order  was  passed  on  December  14th :  Ordered,  That  the  City  Solicitor  be 
requested  to  present  to  the  Common  Council,  his  written  opinion  upon  the 
construction  of  the  "Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  Pure  Water," 
in  reference  to  the  power  of  the  Water  Commissioners  to  establish  the 
Water  Rents,  and  whether  the  City  Council  has  power  to  establish  the  same. 

On  the  18th,  Peleg  W.  Chandler,  Esq.,  the  City  Solicitor,  made  his  reply,  in 
which,  after  reviewing  the  act,  he  says :  "  Upon  the  whole,  I  am  of  the  opinion 
upon  the  two  branches  of  the  question  submitted  to  me ;  first,  that  the  Water 
Commissioners  may,  in  the  first  instance,  and  while  they  are  in  office,  establish 
the  Water  Rents  free  from  the  control  of  the  City  Council ;  and  secondly,  that 
the  City  Council  are  authorized  and  required  to  regulate  these  rents  from  time 
to  time,  after  the  expiration  of  the  office  of  the  Water  Commissioners,  with  a 
view  to  the  payment,  from  the  net  income,  rents  and  receipts  therefor,  not  only 
of  the  semi-annual  interest,  but  ultimately  of  the  principal  also,  of  the  '  Boston 
Water  Scrip,'  so  far  as  the  same  may  be  practicable  and  reasonable." 

The  directors  of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  sent  a  Memorial  to  the  City 
Council,  November  10th,  praying  the  City  to  purchase  the  property,  in  which 
they  say :  "  That  they  do  not  ask  redress  as  equals,  who  suffer  in  competition 
with  equals,  but  as  a  few  private  individuals,  who  are  sacrificed  on  the  altar 
of  public  accommodation,  —  a  very  few,  whose  property  is  destroyed,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  whole  remainder."  This  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Water,  who  reported,  December  14th,  recommending  the  desired  purchase,  for 
the  sum  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  and  an  Order  was  passed  authorizing 
the  same,  in  one  branch  of  the  City  Council,  but  it  was  non-concurred  in  by 
the  other. 

December  26th,  an  ordinance  was  passed  to  further  regulate  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Commissioners,  as  follows : 

Ordered,  Section  1.  For  the  purpose  of  supplying  Cochituate  Water  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Boston,  and  for  ensuring  prompt  payment  in 
advance,  of  the  charges  therefor,  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Water 
Commissioners  to  cause  an  entry  to  be  made,  or  a  record  kept  of  the  sums 
required  to  be  paid,  per  annum  or  otherwise,  by  each  applicant  for  water, 
from  and  after  the  first  day  of  January  next,  with  the  purposes  for  which  the 
value  so  supplied  is  to  be  used,  and  the  limitations,  if  any,  of  the  quantities 
thereof,  and  to  report  a  statement  of  the  same,  previous  to  the  first  of  January 
next,  and  subsequently,  from  time  to  time,  as  the  said  entries  shall  l)e  made, 
to  the  City  Treasurer.  » 

11 


82  [1848. 

Sect.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  City  Treasurer,  to  keep  a  proper 
register  of  all  the  water  charges  so  returned  to  him  by  the  Water  Commis- 
sioners ;  to  receive  payment  thereof  for  account  of  the  City,  in  the  same 
manner  in  which  the  City  Taxes  are  collected,  and  to  keep  a  distinct  account 
of  all  sums  so  received  under  the  name  of  Water  Rent,  subject  to  be  appro- 
priated according  to  law ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer,  in  all  cases 
in  which  the  sums  so  reported  to  him  by  the  Water  Commissioners  as  payable 
for  the  use  of  water  shall  not  be  promptly  paid  in  conformity  with  the 
specific  regulations  which  shall  be  made  by  the  Water  Commissioners,  to 
give  notice  of  such  neglect  to  said  Commissioners,  who  shall  thereupon  be 
authorized  to  cut  off  the  further  supply  of  water  to  the  party  so  delinquent, 
and  to  enforce  payment  in  such  manner  as  they  may  legally  direct.  (City 
Documents  on  subject  of  Water,  for  year  1848,  Nos.  18,  22,  32,  42,  43,  44, 
45,  50.) 


1849.] 


CHAPTER     X. 

1849. 

Mayor  Bigelow's  Address  —  Committee  on  Water  chosen  —  Subject  of  carrying  the  Water 
to  East  Boston  referred  to  the  Committee  —  Water  to  supply  the  Fountains  in  the  State 
House  Yard — Petition  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Additional  Act  —  Committee's  report  in 
favor  of  carrying  Water  to  East  Boston.  Engineer's  estimate  on  the  same  —  Water  Com- 
missioners'term  of  office  extended  —  Election  of  Commissioners  —  Additional  Act  ac- 
cepted —  The  Act  as  accepted  —  Messrs.  Chesbrough  and  Whitwell's  Report  on  carrying 
the  water  to  East  Boston  —  Commissioners  directed  to  carry  the  water  to  East  Boston 
— Ordinance  to  regulate  the  Water  Board — Water  Board  elected. 

On  January  1st,  1849,  Mayor  Bigelow,  in  his  Inaugural  Address,  says: 
"  The  city  at  last  enjoys  the  long-coveted  blessing — a  copious  supply  of  Pure 
Water.  The  only  prominent  objection  to  Boston  as  a  place  of  residence  is 
removed,  by  a  system  of  works  which  promises  to  be  a  permanent  memorial 
of  the  public  spirit  and  judgment  of  its  authors,  and  of  the  skill  and  energy  of 
those,  under  whose  auspices  it  approximates  completion. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  recent  celebration,  ample  details  concerning  this  subject 
were  laid  before  the  public,  and  I  shall  not  consume  your  time  by  repeating." 
After  speaking  of  the  length  of  pipe  laid  in  the  city,  he  says :  "  There  remains 
yet  considerable  to  be  done  to  finish  this  great  undertaking,  by  carrying  out 
the  plan  upon  which  it  has  so  far  been  executed.  The  Commissioners  inform 
me  that  the  Reservoir  upon  Beacon  Hill  will  probably  be  completed  by  the 
close  of  the  summer ;  and  that  on  Dorchester  Heights,  before  the  end  of  the 
year.  The  term  of  office  of  the  Commissioners  will  expire,  by  limitation  of 
law,  in  May  next,  and  I  recommend  that  the  City  Council  make  seasonable 
application  to  the  Legislature  for  the  renewal  of  their  term,  for  such  time,  and 
with  such  modifications  of  their  power,  as  may  seem  advisable." 

The  Committee  on  Water  was  chosen  January  8th,  and  that  part  of  the 
Mayor's  address  above  mentioned  was  referred  to  them  to  consider  and 
report  J  and,  on  the  19th  of  February,  the  same  committee  were  directed  to 


84 


[1849. 


consider  the  expediency  of  carrying  the  water  to  East  Boston,  and  to  report 
phins  and  estimates. 

March  19th,  an  Order  was  passed,  directing  the  Water  Commissioners  to 
carry  water  to  the  State  House  Yards,  for  supplying  such  Fountains  as  the 
Commonwealth  may  erect  there  at  their  own  expense;  provided,  however, 
that  the  City  retain  the  entire  control  of  the  water  to  be  used  for  such 
purpose. 

The  Mayor  was  authorized  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an  additional  Act 
to  enable  the  City  to  carry  the  water  to  East  Boston,  and  to  increase  the  Water 
Loan  one  and  a  half  million  of  dollars. 

The  Committee  on  Water  made  their  Report  on  the  expediency  of  carrying 
the  water  to  East  Boston,  April  19th.  They  say:  That  the  population  of 
East  Boston  is  9,130;  the  number  of  houses,  1,217;  and  the  number  of  fami- 
lies, 1,780;  that  they  are  satisfied  that  that  section  of  the  City  is  not  sufl- 
ciently  supplied  with  water ;  that  if  the  water  was  conveyed  thither,  it  would 
be  generally  taken ;  and  that  at  the  request  of  the  Committee,  the  Water 
Commissioners  had  caused  a  survey  to  be  made  by  Mr.  Chesbrough,  of  four 
routes,  and  from  their  examination  of  the  subject,  it  seemed  to  them  that  the 
route  numbered  3,  was  preferable  to  the  others.  The  cost  of  this  route  they 
made  as  follows : 


18,779  feet  of  20-inch  Pipe,  at  $6.00  per  foot,     .         .         .         , 
1,102     "  Piling  and  Boxing  Charles  River,  at  $10.00  per  foot 
3,212     "       "         "         "      Mystic         "     "     $7.00 
1,429     "       "         "         "      Chelsea  Creek, "  $12.00 
4  inverted  Syphons 

Predging  ......... 


$112,674  00 
11,020  00 
22,484  00 
17,148  00 
20,500  00 
2,500  00 


Add  for  contingencies  20  per  cent.     . 

Cost  of  Route 
Reservoir  of  5,000,000  gallons  capacity 
Distribution  of  57,800  feet,  Hydrants,  etc. 
For  Land  damages  say 


$186,326 

00 

37,265 

20 

$223,59] 

20 

46,163 

02 

107,753 

80 

20,000 

00 

$397,508  02 


Amounting  to 

or  in  round  numbers,  $400,000,  as  the  whole  expense  of  route  and  distribution. 
The  low  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the  Reservoir,  is  founded  on  the  liberal  offer  of 
the  East  Boston  Company  to  present  to  the  City  one  acre  of  land  on  a  site  of 
sufficient  elevation  for  all  purposes  of  supply. 

"  It  is  obvious  that  the  character  of  the  projected  work  is  very  different 


1849.]  85 

from  that  of  the  portions  of  the  Aqueduct  previously  constructed.  Those  por- 
tions of  it  to  be  built  over  navigable  waters  are  liable  to  certain  objections. 
Although  the  Aqueduct,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Reservoir,  will  furnish  a 
sufficient  supply  in  all  ordinary  emergencies,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that  there 
are  contingencies  arising  from  the  nature  and  position  of  the  structure,  upon 
which  it  is  to  rest  for  nearly  one  mile  of  its  passage,  which  may  affect  its  secu- 
rity and  durability."  Notwithstanding  these  objections,  your  Committee 
being  fully  satisfied  that  East  Boston  has  an  undoubted  right  to  a  supply  of 
pure  water,  and  that  it  is  practicable  to  carry  it  there  for  a  moderate  sum, 
ask  leave  to  offer  the  subjoined  Order,  giving  the  Commissioners  full  power  to 
carry  the  water  to  East  Boston,  provided  the  cost  should  not  exceed  $400,000, 

No  action  was  taken  upon  this  Report. 

The  engineer,  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  says,  in  his  Report :  "  That  the  plan 
proposed  is  free  from  objections,  it  would  be  presumptuous  to  assert ;  for 
there  must  be  attached  to  it  some  degree  of  insecurity  arising  from  the 
perishable  nature  of  the  materials  to  be  used,  the  possibility,  —  though  very 
slight  probability, — of  destruction  by  fire,  and  the  danger  of  shocks  and 
injuries  from  floating  bodies.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  its  execution 
in  the  first  instance  is  practicable,  and  that  the  ordinary  injuries  to  which 
it  would  be  liable,  either  from  decay  or  accident,  might  be  repaired :  and, 
by  means  of  the  proposed  Reservoir,  without  cutting  off  a  supply  of  water 
from  the  inhabitants  of  East  Boston."  In  tins  Report,  the  estimates  are  given 
in  detail  to  the  several  routes  proposed.  He  recommends,  however,  route 
No.  3,  the  estimate  for  which  has  already  been  given.  No.  1  was  estimated  at 
$406,119,22  5  No.  2  at  416,055.22;  No.  4  at  $372,516.82. 

On  April  23d,  the  Committee  on  Water  made  a  Report,  recommending 
that  the  term  of  office  of  the  Water  Commissioners  be  extended,'  and  on 
April  30th,  the  following  Ordinance  was  passed  in  addition  to  the  Ordinances 
to  regulate  the  proceedings  of  the  Commissioners. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  chosen  by  concurrent  vote  of  the  City  Council, 
before  the  seventh  day  of  May,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  forty-nine,  three  Commissioners,  who  shall  be  known  and  called  the 
"  Boston  Water  Commissioners,"  who  shall  hold  offices  for  the  space  of  eight 
months  from  the  time  of  their  election,  unless  sooner  removed,  as  hereinafter 
provided,  and  who  shall  receive,  in  full  compensation  for  their  services,  such 
salaries  as  the  City  Council  shall  determine. 

Sect.  2.  The  said  Water  Commissioners,  or  either  of  them,  after  having 
had  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  in  his  or  their  defence,  may  be  removed  at 
any  time,  by  a  concurrent  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  City 


86  [1849. 

Council ;  and  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  by  deatL 
resignation,  or  removal,  such  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of 
another  Commissioner  in  the  manner  aforesaid. 

Sect.  3.  The  said  Water  Commissioners  shall,  dui-ing  their  continuance  in 
office,  execute  and  perform,  and  superintend  and  direct  the  execution  and 
performance  of  all  the  works,  matters  and  things  necessary  or  proper  to  be 
executed  and  performed  in  carrying  out  the  true  intent  and  objects  of  the  Act 
for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  Pure  Water,  passed  March  30th,  1846, 
and  in  general  shall  be  the  agents,  officers  and  servants  of  the  City  of  Boston 
for  the  purposes  aforesaid.  They  shall  have  all  the  powers,  so  far  as  the  same 
are  proper  and  necessary,  heretofore  granted  to  the  Water  Commissioners  by 
the  ordinances  to  which  this  is  an  addition ;  and  shall  be  subject  to  the  duties 
and  restrictions  in  said  Ordinances  mentioned,  and  to  any  others  that  may 
hereafter  be  imposed  by  the  City  Council;  provided,  however,  that  nothing 
herein  contained  shall  be  construed  as  restricting,  in  any  manner,  the  right  of 
the  City  Council  to  regulate  the  Water  Rates. 

Sect.  4.  This  Ordinance  may  be  repealed  or  amended  at  any  time  by  the 
City  Council. 

On  May  4th,  the  City  Council  elected  Nathan  Hale,  James  F.  Baldwin  and 
Tliomas  B.  Curtis,  Water  Commissioners  for  eight  months. 

The  Additional  Act  of  the  Legislature  for  power  to  carry  the  water  to  East 
Boston  and  to  increase  the  water  debt  was  signed  by  the  Governor  on  May 
1st,  and  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  May  7th,  who  reported,  May 
28th,  the  following  Resolves,  which  were  passed  by  a  vote  of  forty-three  to 
three  in  the  Common  Council,  and  unanimously  by  the  Board  of  Aldermen : 

Resolved,  That  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  entitled  "  an  Act 
in  addition  to  an  Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  Pure  Water  "  be  and 
the  same  is  hereby  accepted  by  the  Citj'^  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  City  Council  it  is  expedient  that  the  water 
of  Long  Pond  be  conveyed  to  and  through  East  Boston,  provided  that  the  cost  of 
the  same  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  $400,000. 


1849.]  87 

The  Act  as  accepted  is  as  follows : 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

In  the  year  One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Forty-Nine. 

An  Act  in  addition  to  "  An  Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  Pure 

Water." 

Be  it  enacted  by  tJie  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  in  General  Court  assem- 
bled, and  by  the  autliority  of  the  same,  as  follows  : 

Section  1.  In  addition  to  the  notes,  scrip,  or  certificates  of  debt  authorized 
to  be  issued  by  the  ninth  section  of  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act  for  supplying  the 
City  of  Boston  with  Pure  Water,"  passed  on  the  thirtieth  day  of  March  in  the 
year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  being  chapter  one  hundred  and 
sixty-seven  of  the  acts  of  that  year,  the  City  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston,  are 
authorized  to  issue  from  time  to  time,  notes,  scrip,  or  certificates  of  debt,  to  be 
denominated  on  the  face  thereof,  "  Boston  Water  Scrip,"  to  an  amount  not 
exceeding  in  the  whole,  the  fm-ther  sum  of  one  million  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  for  the  same  purposes,  and  in  the  same  manner,  and  upon  the  terms  and 
conditions  specified  in  said  section. 

Sect.  2.  Wherever  any  damages  shall  have  been  sustained  by  any  persons, 
iu  their  property,  by  the  taking  of  any  land,  water  or  water  rights,  or  by  the 
constructing  of  any  Aqueducts,  Reservoirs,  or  other  works,  for  the  purposes  of  this 
Act,  and  of  the  Act  to  which  this  is  in  addition,  and  such  person  shall  neglect  to 
institute  proceedings  against  the  City  of  Boston,  according  to  the  provisions  of 
the  said  Act,  for  the  space  of  five  months,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  City  of 
Boston,  to  commence  such  proceedings,  which  shall  go  on  and  be  determined  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  commenced  by  the  persons  who  shall  have  sustained  such 
damage,  and  if  such  persons,  on  receiving  due  notice,  shall  not  come  in  and 
prosecute  the  proceedings  so  instituted,  judgment  shall  be  entered  against  them, 
and  they  shall  be  forever  barred  from  recovering  any  damages  under  said  Act. 

Sect.  3.  The  City  of  Boston  is  hereby  authorized  to  convey  the  water  of 
Long  Pond  to,  into  and  through  that  part  of  Boston,  called  East  Boston,  by  lay- 
ing their  Aqueduct  or  water  pipes  through  the  City  of  Charlestown,  and  town  of 
Chelsea,  and  for  that  purpose  may  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges,  and  shall 
be  subject  to  all  the  liabilities  mentioned  in  the  Act  to  which  this  is  in  addition. 
And  the  said  City  of  Boston  may  make  any  suitable  structures,  for  the  purpose 
of  conveying  the  said  water  over  or  under  the  tide  waters  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  Commonwealth,  provided,  that  such  structures  shall  be  approved  of  by  a 
Commissioner,  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  Governor  and  Council, 
and  to  be  compensated  by  the  City  of  Boston,  provided  further,  that  the- 
authority  granted  by  this  section  shall  not  be  exercised  without  the  consent  of 
the  City  Coun(5il  of  said  City  first  had  and  obtained. 


88  [1849. 

Section  4.  This  Act  shall  not  take  effect  unless  accepted  by  the  City  Council 
of  the  City  of  Boston. 

House  of  Representatives,  April  30th,  1848. 
Passed  to  be  enacted. 

FRANCIS  B.  CROWNINSHIELD,  Speaker. 

In  Senate,  May  1st,  1849. 
Passed  to  be  enacted. 

JOSEPH  BELL,  President. 

May  1st,  1849.    Approved.  GEORGE  N.  BRIGGS. 

After  the  above  Act  was  accepted  by  the  City  Council,  the  Water 
Commissioners,  requested  the  Engineers,  Messrs.  Chesbrough  and  Whitwell, 
to  re-examine  the  plans  and  estimates  made  by  them  on  April  2nd  and 
9th;  which  they  did,  and  made  their  Report  July  21st. 

From  their  Report,  we  make  the  following  extracts :  "  Therefore  with 
regard  to  the  general  plan  proposed  in  the  former  estimates,  we  should  not 
recommend  any  alteration,  except  to  increase  the  amount  of  protection  to  the 
river  crossings,  especially  at  the  draws. 

"  The  location  of  the  proposed  Reservoir  at  a  level  of  sixteen  feet  below 
that  of  Brookline,  having  been  objected  to,  has  received  special  consideration. 
There  could  be  no  practical  difficulty  in  regulating  the  discharge  into  the 
Reservoirs  so  as  to  prevent  all  waste.  The  lower  the  level  of  the  East 
Boston  Reservoir,  as  compared  with  that  of  Brookline,  the  more  easily  would 
it  be  to  draw  the  necessary  supply  at  night  and  during  those  hours  of  the 
day  when  a  reduction  of  head,  for  the  high  service  of  the  City  proper,  would 
not  be  seriously  inconvenient. 

"  That  a  maximum  level  considerably  lower  than  that  of  the  Brookline 
Reservoir  should  be  adopted  for  that  at  East  Boston  is  very  evident,  from  the 
fact  that  the  estimated  supply  for  the  City  proper  would  require  an  average 
loss  of  head  at  Haymarket  Square  of  9  rVxr  feet.  This  point  is  the  proposed 
source  for  East  Boston,  for  the  supply  of  which,  with  1,500,000  gallons  per 
diem,  an  additional  head  of  6xVg  feet  for  a  20-inch  pipe  would  be  required, 
making  a  total  average  head  of  15x^0%  feet,  say  16  feet.  " 

They  then  state  how  they  estimate  the  loss  of  head,  and  that  they  have  no 
doubt  that  it  would  be  easy  to  maintain  the  Reservoir  at  a  much  higher  level, 
but  that  it  would  be  of  no  practical  utility,  "  and  might  in  the  end  be  produc- 
tive of  considerable  disappointment  to  those  whose  arrangements  had  been 
made  for  rocoivina;  it  at  th;'  liisihcst  level." 


1849.]  89 

In  speaking  of  the  proposed  Reservoir,  they  say :  "  Owing  to  the  peculiar 
location  of  the  only  available  site  that  can  be  selected  for  this  Reservoir,  being 
the  crest  of  a  narrow  ridge,  with  a  very  steep  northern  slope,  any  material 
additional  height,  would  render  it  very  difficult,  if  not  unsafe,  to  construct  its 
banks  entirely  of  earth,  as  at  present  proposed ;  and  any  change  of  plan  from 
earth  to  masonry,  in  whole  or  in  part,  would  be  very  expensive  in  proportion 
to  the  amount  of  masonry  used." 

In  regard  to  the  estimates,  they  say,  "  that  very  little  change  has  been  made 
in  the  items  embraced  in  the  previous  estimates,  the  increased  sum  having  been 
made  up  by  the  amounts  added  for  greater  perfection  of  the  river  crossings, 
for  change  of  line  to  avoid  land  damages,  for  service  pipes,  and  for  removing 
the  Reservoir  far  enough  to  the  east  to  avoid  a  house ;  and  by  the  further 
sum  of  $20,000,  added  to  the  previous  estimates  of  the  Water  Committee  for 
land  damages. 

The  estimates,  as  revised,  will  stand  thus : 

Bridge  Work .  $54,920  38 

Dredging .  2,500  00 

4  Syphons,  including  cost  of  pipes     .         .         .         .         .         .  30,000  00 

21,870feet  of  20-inch  pipe,  at  $6.00 131,220  00 

Contingencies 43,728  07 

Eeservoir 50,000  00 

Service  Pipes 20,000  00 

Distribution  by  Main  Pipe 107,753  80 

Land  damages 40,000  00 

$480,122  25 

Aug.  13th,  the  Commissioners  were  instructed  to  proceed  without  delay  in 
carrying  the  water  of  Long  Pond  to  East  Boston,  according  to  the  plans  and 
estimates  submitted  by  Messrs.  Whitwell  and  Chesbrough  in  their  Report  of 
the  21st  ult.,  with  such  modifications  as  may  hereafter  be  suggested. 

On  the  same  day,  they  were  authorized  to  expend  the  sum  of  $5,000  to 
introduce  Cochituate  water  by  means  of  a  lead  pipe  into  East  Boston,  to 
relieve  its  present  wants. 

The  Committee,  on  December  31st,  reported  that  it  was  inexpedient  to 
further  continue  the  term  of  office  of  the  Water  Commissioners,  and  recom- 
mended as  a  substitute,  a  Water  Board,  consisting  of  one  Commissioner,  an 
Engineer,  and  a  Water  Registrar ;  and  an  Ordinance  was  passed,  establishing 
the  same,  which  provides  in 

12 


90  [1849. 

Section  1,  That  all  the  rights,  powers,  and  authority  given  to  the  City  of 
Boston,  should  be  exercised  by  tlie  Cochituate  Water  Board,  and  the  joint 
Standing  Committee  on  Water,  under  the  direction  of  the  City  Council. 

Section  2,  provided  that  the  Board  should  consist  of  a  Commissioner,  an 
Engineer,  and  a  Water  Registrar ;  that  they  should  be  chosen  for  one  year, 
subject  to  removal  l^y  the  City  Council,  and  any  vacancies  that  might  occur 
should  be  filled  by  the  City  Council  for  the  remainder  of  the  term. 

Section  3,  provided  that  the  members  of  the  Water  Board  should  receive 
such  compensation  as  the  City  Council  should  determine. 

Section  4,  provided  that  the  Water  Board  and  the  Joint  Standing  Committee 
on  Water  should  have  the  control,  care  and  manaofement  of  all  the  works. 

Section  5,  provided  for  the  election  of  a  Water  Comptroller. 

Section  6,  provided  that  all  other  officers  and  clerks  should  be  appointed 
by  the  Water  Board,  with  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  the  Joint  Standing 
Committee  on  Water. 

Section  7,  provided  that  the  Commissioner  should  be  Chairman  of  the 
Board,  and  should  have  the  general  supervision. 

Section  8,  provided  that  the  Engineer  should  prepare  all  plans  of  construc- 
tion, and  keep  a  record  of  all  levels,  distances,  dimensions  and  positions  of  all 
pipes,  mains  and  hydrants,  make  estimates,  certify  accounts,  examine  from  time 
to  time  the  works,  and  give  notice  to  the  Board  of  such  repairs  as  may  be 
deemed  expedient. 

Section  9,  provided  that  the  Water  Registrar,  by  authority  of  the  Water 
Board,  should  assess  the  Water  Rates  as  established  by  the  City  Council, 
that  he  should  visit  the  premises  of  every  water-taker,  and  should  issue  all 
notices  before  the  stoppage  of  water  for  repairs,  for  non-payment  of  water 
rates,  or  for  other  cause. 

Section  10,  provided  that  the  Water  Comptroller  should  keep  the  accounts 
of  the  Board,  receive  the  water  rents,  and  pay  the  same  weekly  to  the  City 
Treasurer,  and  audit  all  bills  and  contract  payments,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Water  Board. 

Section  11,  provided  that  all  the  officers  should  be  resident  in  the  City. 

Section  12,  provided  that  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Water  should 
visit  the  works  once  a  year,  to  exercise  a  general  oversight  over  the  Water 
Board,  and  audit  their  annual  account. 

Section  13,  provided  that  all  bills,  contracts,  salaries  and  expenses  should 
be  paid  by  the  City  Treasurer  in  the  same  manner  as  other  demands  against 
the  City  are  paid. 


1849.]  91 

Section  14,  provided  that  the  Board  should  report,  before  the  third  Mon- 
day in  March  next,  a  working  plan  for  the  ensuing  year,  with  an  estimate. 

Section  15,  provided  that  they  should  make  a  Report,  before  the  second 
Tuesday  of  December  next,  containing  the  receipts  and  expenditures  in  detail, 
with  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  works. 

Section  16,  provided  that  no  opening,  or  connection  with  any  pipe  should  be 
made  without  an  order  from  the  Water  Board,  and  under  their  direction  and 
control. 

Section  1 7,  provided  that  the  "Water  Rent  should  be  paid  in  advance  for  the 
year,  in  the  month  of  January,  and  that  special  supplies  and  fractional  parts 
of  a  year  should  be  paid  within  thirty  days  after  the  letting  on  of  the  water 
in  each  case. 

Section  1 8,  provided  that  in  case  of  non-payment  of  water  rates,  the  Water 
Registrar  should,  after  issuing  general  notice  in  the  public  prints,  and  special 
notice  on  the  premises  where  the  water  is  supplied,  cut  off  the  supply  of  water 
at  such  places,  and  the  same  should  not  be  let  on  again  until  the  payment  of  the 
amount  due,  together  with  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents. 

Section  19,  provided  that  the  Water  Board,  in  concert  with  the  Chief 
Engineer  of  the  Fire  Department,  should  make  all  regulations  for  the  use  of 
the  Fire  Hydrants,  and  that  in  all  questions  relating  to  the  same,  the  Chief 
Engineer  of  the  Fire  Department  was  to  have  equal  authority  with  each  of  the 
Water  Board. 

Section  20,  provided  that  this  Ordinance  should  continue  in  force  for  one 
year  and  no  longer,  and  could  be  altered,  amended  or  repealed  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  City  Council. 

The  Election  of  the  Officers  under  this  Ordinance,  was  made  on  January 
4th,  1850,  when  E.  S.  Chesbrough  was  elected  Water  Commissioner,  William 
S.  Whitwell,  Engineer,  and  J.  Avery  Richards,  Water  Registrar ;  and  on  the 
next  day,  Samuel  Holbrook  was  elected  Water  Comptroller. 

The  proceedings  of  this  Water  Board  for  the  year  that  they  were  elected, 
together  with  those  of  the  present  Board  since  its  organization  in  January, 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-one,  to  January,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-eight, 
will  be  found  in  Part  Third.  (City  Documents  on  subject  of  Water,  for  year 
1847,  Nos.  3,  4,  5,  18,  24,  26,  29,  38,  41,  53,  57,  61,  63,  68.) 


PAET    SECOND. 


PROCEEDINGS     OF    THE     WATER    COMMISSIONERS,  UNDER    THE 
ACT     FOR     INTRODUCING     WATER     INTO     THE     CITY, 
DURING   THE    CONSTRUCTION    OF    THE   WORKS, 
FROM   MAY    4th,  1846,  TO   JANUARY,  1850. 


1846.] 


C  H A  P  TE  E    XL 

1846. 

First  meeting  of  the  Water  Commissioners  —  John  B.  Jervis  elected  Consulting  Engineer 

—  Samuel  Holbrook  elected  Clerk  —  Land  purchased  for  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  — 
Price  paid  —  Work  divided  into  two  Divisions  —  E.  Sylvester  Chesbrough  elected  Chief 
Engineer  of  Western,  and  William  S.  Whitwell,  of  Eastern  Division  —  Surveying  party 
organized  —  Purchase  of  Long  and  Dug  Ponds  —  Fii'st  purchase  of  brick  for  the  Conduit 

—  Survey  of  the  first  division  of  the  Aqueduct  —  Contract  awarded  for  excavation  on 
the  first  division  —  Ceremonies  at  the  first  breaking  of  the  ground -^Eooms  engaged  for 
the  Commissioners  —  Agreement  for  Land  of  Charles  Loker  —  Contract  for  Masonry  on 
the  first  division  —  Change  of  route  and  location  of  Reservoir —  Size  of  main  Pipes  — 
Contracts  awarded  for  the  excavation  on  the  remaining  sections  —  Commencement  of  the 
work  —  Purchase  of  White  Hall  Pond  —  Contracts  awarded  for  Iron  Pipes,  and  for  con- 
structing the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  —  Taking  of  land  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Reser- 
voir—  Purchase  of  brick  during  the  year  —  Woi'k  on  the  Tunnels  —  Engineers  on  the 
several  divisions. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Commissioners,  under  the  Act  for  introducing  water 
into  the  city,  namely,  Messrs.  James  F.  Baldwin,  Nathan  Hale,  and  Thomas 
B,  Curtis,  was  held  on  May  5th,  1846,  the  day  after  their  appointment. 

At  this  meeting,  they  had  their  first  conference  with  Mr.  William  H.  Knight, 
the  owner  of  the  outlet  and  dam  at  Long  Pond ;  they  also  decided  to  engage 
the  services  of  Mr.  John  B.  Jervis,  of  New  York,  as  Consulting  Engineer, 
and  a  letter  was  sent  to  him  asking  an  interview.  At  their  second  meeting, 
they  elected  Mr.  Samuel  Holbrook  as  Clerk. 

May  15th,  Mr.  Jervis  was  engaged  as  Consulting  Engineer,  at  a  salary  of 
$3,000  per  year. 

May  18th,  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Thomas  C.  Smith,  they  purchased  of 
Mr.  John  Hancock  a  lot  of  land  for  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir ;  this  lot  did 
not  front  on  any  street,  but  was  located  in  the  rear  of  estates  situated  on 
Mount  Vernon,  Hancock,  Derne  and  Temple  streets,  and  contained  17,392 
feet,  and  was  bought  for  the  sum  of  $35,876  or  $2^^^^^  per  square  foot. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Williams  was  engaged  as  Temporary 
Engineer   to   examine   and  make   soundings   from   Long  Pond   to   Morse's 


96  [1846. 

Pond ;  and  on  the  same  day  the  Commissioners,  in  company  with  the  Mayor, 
made  their  first  visit  to  Long  Pond  and  to  Knight's  Factory. 

It  was  decided  to  divide  the  works  into  two  Divisions,  the  Western  Division 
to  consist  of  all  the  works  from  Long  Pond  to  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  both 
inclusive ;  the  Eastern  to  consist  of  all  the  works  from  Brookline  Reservoir, 
including  those  within  the  City ;  and  that  each  Division  should  be  under  the 
c] large  of  a  Chief  Engineer. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  they  elected  Mr.  E.  Sylvester  Chesbrough  as  Chief 
Engineer  of  the  Western  Division,  at  a  salary  of  $3,000  per  annum ;  which 
office  he  accepted  on  the  27th. 

On  June  6th,  Mr.  William  S.  Whitwell  was  elected  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
Eastern  Division,  at  a  salary  of  $3,000  per  annum ;  which  he  accepted  on  the 
19th. 

After  these  appointments  were  made,  a  surveying  party  was  organized  under 
the  direction  of  the  Chief  Engineers  to  survey  and  definitely  locate  the  line  of 
the  aqueduct,  with  a  view  of  putting  a  portion  of  it  under  contract  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible.  This  party  consisted  of  an  engineer,  four  assistant 
engineers,  two  levellers  and  nineteen  subordinates. 

On  June  11th,  after  several  interviews  with  Mr.  Knight,  and  a  careful  exam- 
ination of  the  premises,  the  Commissioners  made  a  provisional  arrangement 
with  him  for  the  purchase  of  the  exclusive  right  to  the  waters  of  Long  and 
Dug  ponds,  the  two  water  privileges  on  the  stream  discharging  therefrom,  and 
also  his  manufacturing  establishment,  including  the  mills,  buildings,  machinery, 
fixtures  and  dwelling-houses  occupied  by  operatives,  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  whole ;  or  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  for 
all,  excepting  the  manufacturing  establishments,  mills,  buildings,  etc.  In  the 
event  of  their  taking  the  mills,  etc.,  they  were  to  put  in  a  steam  engine  of  suf- 
ficient power  to  carry  the  works,  which  they  estimate  would  cost  $10,000,  and 
to  lease  him  the  premises,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  for  nine  thousand  dollars 
per  year,  taxes  and  repairs. 

This  agreement  was  made  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  City  Council.  The 
Commissioners  had  some  doubts  as  to  their  power  to  make  such  an  arrange- 
ment, although  they  believed  it  to  be  for  the  interest  of  the  City.  They  accord- 
ingly sent,  on  the  15  th  of  June,  a  communication  on  the  subject  to  the  City 
Council,  who,  on  the  17th  of  June,  gave  authority  in  the  matter  to  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Water,  as  mentioned  in  Part  I.,  Chapter  YII.  A  copy  of  the 
deed  on  this  occasion,  as  well  as  of  all  other  deeds  of  lauds  purchased  in 
connection  with  the  Water  Works,  can  be  found  upon  record  at  the  office  of 
the  Water  Board,  City  Hall,  Boston. 


1846.]  97 

On  the  20th,  Edward  Mellen,  Esq.,  of  Wayland,  was  requested  to  examine 
Mr.  Knight's  title  to  the  lands,  waters,  buildings,  etc.  The  first  payment  on 
account  of  this  purchase,  amounting  to  $50,000,  was  made  June  25th.  The 
Commissioners  took  possession  of  Mr.  Knight's  property,  under  the  Act,  on 
the  10th  of  August;  and  the  final  payment  of  $100,000,  and  the  delivery  of 
the  deed,  took  place  August  13th.  This  deed  given  by  Mr.  Knight  contains  a 
fiill  description  of  all  the  land  and  buildings  taken,  and  a  release  from  all 
damages ;  the  lease  from  the  City  to  Mr.  Knight  was  passed  on  the  same  day. 

During  the  month  of  July,  the  first  Division  of  the  Aqueduct  extending 
from  Long  Pond  to  the  road  leading  from  Newton  Lower  Falls  to  East 
Needham,  a  distance  of  five  and  a  half  miles,  was  surveyed,  and  was  fully 
prepared  for  contracts,  with  the  levels,  plans  and  profiles  given.  This 
Division  was  sub-divided  into  four  sections,  and  proposals  for  excavation  and 
grading  were  received  on  each ;  which  proposals  were  opened  and  awards 
made,  August  3d,  as  follows:  The  First,  Third  and  Fourth  Sections  to 
Carmichael,  Gonder  &  Co.;  first  section  at  18  cents,  third  at  15  cents,  and 
the  fourth  at  16  cents,  per  cubic  yard.  The  second  section  was  awarded 
to  Francis  Blair  at  17  cents  per  cubic  yard. 


The  first  Breaking  op  the  Ground  for  the  construction  op  the 
Aqueduct  was  made  at  the  Pond,  August  20th,  1846. 

A  finer  day  could  not  have  been  selected  for  the  purpose.  The  City 
Government,  Commissioners  and  invited  guests,  with  music,  left  the  City  in 
a  special  train  by  the  Worcester  Eailroad  at  10  o'clock,  and  on  their  arrival 
opposite  the  Pond,  a  procession  was  formed  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
S.  D.  Seaverns,  and  marched  to  it.  Immediately  behind  the  Mayor,  Josiah 
QuiNCY,  Jr.,  was  borne  the  Spade  to  be  used  on  the  occasion ;  it  was 
carried  by  Master  William  Henry  Dutton;  and  on  the  arrival  at  the  point 
selected  for  the  commencement  of  the  work,  Alderman  Parker  presented 
the  Spade  to  the  Mayor,  with  a  few  appropriate  remarks. 

Mr.  Nathan  Hale  next  addressed  the  Mayor,  and  in  the  course  of  his 
speech  stated  that  the  Commissioners  were  desirous  of  meeting  the  City 
Council  on  the  borders  of  the  Pond  itself  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  their 
co-operation  in  striking  the  first  blow  towards  the  accomplishment  of  the 
great  enterprise  of  introducing  a  copious  supply  of  water  into  the  City, 
and  he  invited  the  Mayor  to  take  the  first  step  in  its  progress. 

The  Mayor  replied  at  some  length,  and,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks, 
took  off  his  coat,  and  dug  the  first  spadeful  of  earth,  which  he  deposited  in 

13 


9a 


[1846. 


a  wheclbarro-w  provided  for  the  purpose.     This  act  -was  greeted  with  loud 
and  loiip;  cliecrs,  and  the  band  struck  up  "  Hail  Columbia.'''' 

The  i\Iayor,  with  a  few  appropriate  remarks,  then  called  upon  John  Quincy 
Adams,  late  President  of  the  United  States,  to  throw  the  second  spadeful ; 
whereupon  he  took  off  his  coat,  amid  the  cheers  of  the  people,  and  deposited 
the  second  spadeful  in  the  barrow,  the  band  playing  ^^  Adams  and  Libertyy 
The  third  spadeful  was  then  thrown  by  Josiah  Quincy,  Sen. 


The  spade  used  on  the  occasion  is  now  in  possession  of  the  Cochituate 
Water  Board,  at  their  office  in  the  City  Hall,  and  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tions engraved  on  silver  plates. 

ON    THE    FACE. 
With  this  Spade  the  Eirst  Earth  was  removed  in  coNSTRUCTnsra  the  Long 
Pond  Aqueduct  by  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Mayor  op  Boston,  August  20,  A.D. 
1846  IN  the  presence  of  the  City  Council,  and  other  invited  guests. 

Presented  as  a  memorial  op  the  event  by  the  Water  Committee. 

ON    THE    REVERSE. 

Water  Commissioners, 

Nathan  Hale,  Esq.,  James  F.  Baldwin,  Esq.,  Thos.  B.  Curtis,  Esq. 


Water 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr. 
Wm.  Parker, 
Wm.  Pope, 
Of  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 


Committee. 
loring  norcross, 
James  Whiting, 
James  Hayward, 
Henry  W.  Button, 
Samuel  W.  Hall, 
Of  the  Council. 
COCHITUATE. 


LAKE 

The  original  name  restored  by  vote  of  Council,  Aug.  20,  1846. 

After  a  few  remarks  by  Mr.  Gonder,  one  of  the  contractors,  the  procession 
was  again  formed,  and  marched  to  the  pavilion  where  dinner  was  provided  by 
Mr.  J.  B.  Smith;  a  blessing  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  E.  0.  Waterston,  and  at 
the  conclusion  of  the  dinner,  addresses  were  made  by  the  Mayor,  Thomas  B. 
Curtis,  John  Q.  Adams,  G.  S.  Hillard,  Josiah  Quincy,  Sen.,  James  T.  Austin, 
John  G.  Palfrey,  James  G.  Green,  and  others. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  addresses,  the  party  returned  to  the  City,  rejoicing 
that  the  great  work  had  been  commenced. 

On  August  22d,  the  Commissioners  made  an  agreement  with  Mr.  Charles 
Loker  for  his  land  at  the  head  of  the  Aqueduct,  and  for  several  other  lots  on 


1846.]  99 

the  margin  of  the  Pond;  and  on  the  line  of  the  Aqueduct,  for  fifty  dollars  per 
acre;  and  for  the  Island,  or  young  woodland,  at  one  hundred  dollars  per 
acre. 

September  17th,  a  contract  was  made  with  Mr.  Gonder,  for  Carmichael  & 
Co.,  to  do  all  the  masonry  of  the  brick  Aqueduct  for  the  First  Division  of  the 
line,  they  to  find  all  the  materials  except  the  brick,  which  were  to  be  delivered 
at  convenient  points  along  the  line,  at  two  dollars  per  lineal  or  running  foot 
of  Aqueduct,  This  was  afterwards  changed,  on  account  of  the  nature  of  the 
work,  to  the  following  prices.  Section  1,  $2.46 ;  Section  2,  $2.45 ;  Section  3, 
$2.43 1;  Section  4,  $2.44;  Section  5,  $2.41;  and  the  fii-st  brick  was  laid, 
under  this  contract,  October  19th. 

Several  surveys  having  been  made  for  the  location  of  a  Eeservoir  in 
Brighton  or  Brookline,  the  Commissioners  on  the  nineteenth  of  September, 
decided  upon  the  present  location  in  Brookline. 

In  reference  to  this  decision  they  say,  in  their  Report  to  the  City  Council, 
on  the  24th  of  September,  "  they  have  within  a  few  days  past  come  to  the 
important  decision  of  adopting  a  route  through  Newton,  and  Brookline,  which 
will  require  the  excavation  of  two  tunnels,  one  2,300  feet,  and  the  other,  1,150 
feet  in  length,  and  the  establishment  of  a  Reservoir  near  the  residence  of 
John  E.  Thayer,  Esq.,  in  Brookline.  The  advantages  of  this  route  over  that 
which  was  indicated  by  the  earlier  surveys,  terminating  at  Corey's  Hill,  it  is 
believed,  are  more  than  sufficient  to  countervail  the  cost  of  tunnelling.  These 
consist  of  a  material  shortening  of  the  distance,  the  dispensing  with  the 
necessity  of  a  pipe  communication  across  the  Brighton  Valley,  the  obtaining 
of  a  more  capacious  and  eligibly  situated  Reservoir,  at  a  slightly  increased 
distance  from  the  City,  a  higher  elevation  in  consequence  of  dispensing  with 
the  pipe  communication  at  Brighton,  and  a  saving  on  the  amount  of  damages 
to  the  estates  passed  through,  in  consequence  of  the  secluded  tract  of  country, 
and  the  inferior  value  of  the  lands  through  which  the  route  passes." 

It"  was  also  decided  on  the  same  day,  that  the  two  main  pipes  should  be 
each  thirty  inches  diameter :  subsequently,  one  of  them  was  changed  to  a  thirty- 
six  inch. 

The  Estimates  for  the  excavation  of  the  remaining  division  of  the  line  were 
sent  in  on  October  12th;  and  on  the  14th,  the  contracts  were  awarded  as  fol- 
lows : 

Section    5,  at    9^  cents  per  cubic  yard,  to  Martin,  Magee  &  Co. 
"  6,  "  11        "       "       "         "      ''  John  Healey  &  Co. 

"  8,  "     9        "       "       «         " .    "  J.  H.  Bollins  &  Co. 

"  9,  "  101      "      "      "        "      "  Ebenezer  Lobdell  &  Co. 


100  [184G. 

Section  10,  at  15  cents  per  cubic  yard,  to  Edward  Learned  &  Sons. 

((        11    "  18  "       "       "         "      "         "             "               " 

u        12    "  14  "       "       "         "      "         "             "               " 

"        13   "  20  "      "       "        "      "        "            "              " 

u        -\A    "15  "       "       "         "      "         "             "               " 

Sections  11  and  13  included  the  two  tunnels. 

The  laying  of  brick  upon  Section  4,  first  division,  was  commenced  on  the 
19th  of  October  and  continued  until  the  latter  part  of  November,  when  the 
work  was  suspended  until  Spring.  The  inverted  arch  was  meantime  filled 
with  earth  to  prevent  injury  from  frost. 

The  purchase  of  White  Hall  Pond,  in  Hopkinton,  was  made  November  4th, 
by  the  Committee  on  Water,  under  the  resolve  passed  April  21st,  Part  I., 
Chap.  YII.,  for  the  sum  of  $25,000,  with  the  intention  of  using  it  as  a 
Compensating  Reservoir  to  flow  into  the  Concord  River  as  a  substitute  for 
Long  Pond  water,  whenever  that  should  be  diverted  from  its  natural  channel 
to  the  injury  of  those  who  were  entitled  to  the  use  of  it.  This  pond  at  high- 
water  mark,  had  an  area  of  576  acres,  and  a  water-shed  of  2,840  acres.  At 
the  time  of  its  purchase,  it  was  owned  by  William  B.  and  A.  Wood,  who  leased 
the  same  for  the  sum  of  $1,500  per  year,  until  required  by  the  City.  The 
actual  cost  of  this  Reservoir,  after  the  dam  was  built  and  the  improvements 
made,  was  $29,534.36. 

The  first  contracts  for  Iron  Pipes  were  made  November  16th,  with  the 
following  parties;  2,440  tons,  30-inch,  from  Cyrus  Alger  &  Co.  and  the 
West  Point  Foundry,  one-half  by  each,  at  $47.50  per  ton;  550  tons  12  and  16 
inch,  from  Leonard  Fuller,  at  $47.00  per  ton;  1,570  tons,  4  and  6  inch,  from 
A.  M.  &  B.  W.  Jones,  and  Messrs.  Colwell  &  Co.,  of  Philadelphia,  at  $45.00 
per  ton ;  2,240  lbs,  to  a  ton. 

The  contract  for  constructing  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  was  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Edward  Learned  &  Sons,  and  Carmichael,  Gonder  &  Co.,  December 
5th,  they  agreeing  to  complete  the  work  by  August  1st,  1848;  several  days 
were  occupied  in  the  exan^ination  of  the  twenty  bids  which  were  received. 
This  is  the  contract  which  caused  the  dissatisfaction  mentioned  in  Part  I. 
Chap.  Vn.  Before  this  contract  w^s  made,  which  was  executed  in  the 
name  of  Gonder,  Case  &  Co.,  it  was  decided  by  the  Commissioners  to 
enlarge  the  Reservoir  by  taking  a  lot  of  land  on  Hancock  and  Derne  streets, 
belonging  to  Benjamin  Adams,  and  to  make  application  to  the  Legislature  for 
the  purchase  of  a  lot  on  Hancock  Street,  owned  by  the  Commonwealth. 
December  19th,  the  tenants,  seventeen  in  number,  on  the  estate  of  Mr.  Adams, 
were   notified   to  vacate   within   three   months,   the    Commissioners   having 


1846.]  101 

taken  possession  of  the  premises  under  the  act  of  the  Legislature.  Mr. 
Adams  was  notified  of  the  taking,  on  the  same  day. 

Between  July  1846,  and  January  1847,  over  8,000,000  of  bricks  were 
contracted  for  at  $5  J  per.  M.,  for  those  delivered  in  Boston,  and  $TJ,  for 
those  delivered  on  the  line  of  the  Aqueduct.  Mr.  Joseph  Parker,  was 
engaged  to  examine  the  bricks  when  delivered,  as  to  quality  and  quantity, 
and  report  daily  to  the  ofi&ce  of  the  Commissioners. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Chamberlain  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Beacon 
Hill  Reservoir. 

It  should  have  been  mentioned,  that  the  work  on  the  Tunnels  was  com- 
menced by  sinking  shafts  about  four  hundred  feet  apart ;  those  on  the  Newton 
tunnel  were  commenced  November  15th,  and  those  on  the  Brookline, 
December  1 7th ;  and  the  first  drift  on  the  west  end  of  the  Newton  tunnel  was 
commenced  December  30th,  1846. 


The  line  of  the  Conduit,  from  the  Lake  to  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  was 
divided  into  three  divisions ;  the  first,  commencing  at  the  lake,  was  30,083 
feet  long,  and  under  the  charge  of  T.  E.  Sickles,  as  Resident  Engineer,  assisted 
by  M.  Conant,  William  E.  Furguson,  and  G.  H.  Hyde.  The  second,  26,453 
feet  long,  was  under  the  charge  of  H.  S.  McKean,  as  Resident  Engineer, 
assisted  by  J.  J.  Spooner  and  S.  S.  Greele.  The  third,  23,000  feet  long, 
including  the  Tunnels  and  Reservoir,  was  under  the  charge  of  T.  S.  Williams, 
as  Resident  Engineer,  assisted  by  F.  J.  Williams,  Gr.  A.  Williams,  and 
J.  C.  C.  Hoskins. 

The  Property  conveyed  to  the  City  by  Mr.  Knight,  in  the  deed  before  referred 
to,  was  as  follows : 

His  right  and  title  to  Long  and  Dug  Ponds,  situated  in  the  towns  of  Natick 
and  Framingham,  together  with  several  tracts  of  land,  as  deeded  to  him  by 
the  former  proprietors  of  said  property ;  also,  the  several  tracts  of  land  lately 
purchased  by  him,  on  the  borders  of  Long  Pond,  from  the  following  persons : 

John  Travis  and  Edward  Hammond,  Jr.,  by  deed  dated  July  31st,  1844. 

Eunice  and  Roxaline  Marshall,  "  "  July  31st,  1844. 

Lucinda  Colburn,  "  "  June  28th,  1845. 

Sybell  Marshall,  «  "  October  25th,  1845. 

William  Coolidge,  "  "  April  12th,  1845. 

Timothy  Bullard,  Jonas  and  Mary  Loker,  "  "  August  5th,  1844. 

Eleazer  G.  Wright,  "  "  August  5th,  1844. 


102 


[1846. 


Moses   Fiske,  Jr.  and  Aaron   Fiske,  by   deed  dated  August  3rd,  1844. 


Jonas  Goodnow, 

Charles  Loker, 

Wintlirop  Loker, 

Patty,  Olive  N.  and  Sarah  Bacon, 

Sylvester  W.  Warren, 

Jedediah  Washburn, 

John  Travis, 


July  24,  1845. 
August  26th,  1844. 
June  28th,  1845. 
April  30th,  1845. 
August  20th,  1845. 
September  23d,  1844. 
August  30th,  1844. 


Also,  the  following  deeds,  which  were  included  in  his  purchase  from  the 
Framingham  Manufacturing  Company. 


to  said  company,  by  deed  dated  October  16th,  1821. 

"         «         "         "         "       September  30th,  1822. 


Moses  Fiske, 

George  Whiting,  '' 

James  Brown,  '' 

Lemuel  Fiske,  " 

Josiah  Eice,  ^' 

Jonas  Goodnow,  " 
Collins,  and  Isaac  Damen,  " 

Jedediah  Washburn,  " 

Moses  Fiske,  " 

George  Whiting,  " 

Calvin  Haven,  " 

Jedediah  Washburn,  " 

Dorothy  Hall,  " 

Saml.  Fiske,  " 

John  Bacon,  Adm'r,  " 


And  one  Factory  building,  situated  at  the  upper  privilege,  so  called ;  this 
building  was  eighty-three  feet  long,  by  thirty-three  feet  wide,  three  stories 
high,  and  filled  with  Worsted  and  Woollen  Machinery,  in  full  operation. 

Also,  two  large  dwelling-houses,  with  six  acres  of  land,  with  outbuildings. 

Three  dwelling-houses,  at  the  middle  privilege,  so  called,  with  about  one 
acre  of  land. 

And,  at  the  lower  privilege,  so  called,  one  Factory,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  feet  long  by  thirty-three  feet  wide,  three  stories  high,  with  three  large 
additions ;  and  all  fitted  with  machinery  in  complete  working  order. 

Also,  one  other  Factory,  one  hundred  feet  long,  by  thirty-three  feet  wide, 
and  three  stories  high,  filled  with  carpet  looms ;  one  Dye  House,  and  three 
Drying  Houses ;  all  fitted  for  operation. 


u 

li 

a 

March  23d,  1812. 

u 

a 

li 

June  20th,  1822. 

u 

11 

11 

June  30th,  1806. 

li 

a 

li 

June  6th,  1829. 

u 

li 

11 

October  16th,  1829. 

u 

li 

a 

December  4th,  1821. 

a 

a 

u 

November  1st,  1823. 

a 

a 

u 

November  1st,  1823. 

a 

a 

ii 

November  5th,  1823. 

u 

li 

11 

April  7th,  1822. 

u 

a 

11 

May  12th,  1823.      . 

u 

a 

11 

May  6th,  1822. 

li 

li 

11 

August  22d,  1827. 

1846.]  103 

There  were  also  "Wash-houses,  Bleacheries,  and  a  Manufactory  for  making 
Soap,  together  with  six  acres  of  land. 

The  Machinery  contained  in  the  above-named  factories  was  considered 
sufficient  for  the  manufactory  of  fifteen  hundred  yards  of  carpeting  per 
day. 


[1847. 


CHAPTER     XII. 

1847. 

Application  to  the  Legislature  for  tlie  purchase  of  House  on  Hancock  Street  —  Notice  to 
the  City  Government  —  Brookline  Tunnel  —  Acceptance  of  proposals  for  building  the 
Conduit  —  Factories  burnt  —  Purchase  of  Benjamin  Adams'  Estate  — Work  of  laying  the 
Iron  Pipes  commenced  —  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  enlarged  —  Estates  purchased  for  the 
Reservoir  —  Origin  of  the  name,  Beacon  Hill  —  First  purchase  of  Land  for  the  Brookline 
Reservoir  —  Mr.  Hale's  objection  to  the  purchase  of  the  Thayer  lot  —  Avrard  of  the 
referees  on  the  Thayer  lot.  Estates  purchased  for  the  Brookline  Reservoir  —  Route 
to  South  Boston  decided  upon  —  Accident  at  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  —  Corner-stone 
of  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  laid  —  Compensating  Reservoirs. 

On  January  12tli,  1847,  the  Commissioners  made  application  to  the  Legis- 
lature, through  the  Hon.  John  C.  Gray,  for  the  purchase  of  the  estate  on 
Hancock  Street,  as  mentioned  in  the  preceding  Chapter,  which  was  referred 
to  a  Committee,  who  recommended  the  sale  for  the  sum  of  $13,000.  This  the 
Commissioners  thought  too  much,  and  offered  $10,000,  but  no   abatement 

was  made. 

Notice  was  sent  to  the  City  Government,  on  the  22d  of  January,  of  the  inten- 
tion to  build  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  and  that  the  laying  of  the  iron  pipes 
would  be  commenced  as  soon  in  the  Spring  as  the  frost  was  out  of  the  ground, 
with  the  request  that  if  the  grade  of  Tremont  Street  was  to  be  changed,  they 
might  be  notified  at  once. 

January  30th,  the  fii-st  drift  on  the  Brookline  Tunnel  was  commenced, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  ensuring  the  completion  of  the  two  tunnels  within 
the  time  that  would  be  required  for  the  execution  of  the  other  branches  of 
the  work,  it  was  continued  night  and  day  without  interruption,  by  successive 
working  parties,  relieving  one  another  every  eight  hours.  For  further 
expediting  the  work,  seven  shafts  were  sunk  through  the  rock  in  the  Newton 
Tunnel,  and  three  in  the  Brookline;  it  was  also  found  necessary  to  keep 


1847.]  105 

seven  steam  engines  in  constant  operation  to  pump  the  water  that  was 
encountered. 

Proposals  having  been  received  for  the  several  portions  of  the  work,  on 
the  16th  of  March  they  were  opened,  and  the  following  bids  accepted. 

For  Stone  Masonry,  Bulk  Head,  and  Gate  Chamber  at  the  Pond,  from 
Carmichael,  Gonder  &  Co. ;  this  contract  was  afterward  given  up  and  the 
work  done  by  the  day.  Bridge  over  Charles  River,  and  Stone  Structures  on 
Section  6,  from  Clark,  Christy  &  Co.  Waste  Weirs  and  Stone  Culverts,  on 
Sections  10,  11,  12  and  13,  to  Clark,  Christy  &  Co.;  this  contract  was 
afterwards  transferred  to  Bryant,  Blaisdell  &  Co.,  who  completed  the  work. 

Brick  Conduit  on  Section  6  from  S.  McCullough,  at  |2.26  per  lineal  foot 

"  "  "         8     "     Jas.  &  Chas.  Collins    "  $2.26         •■'         " 

"  "  "         9     "     Clark,  Christy  &  Co.  "  $2.25         "         « 

"  "  «       10     "     S.  McCullough  «  $2.35 

The  contract  for  Section  10  was  afterwards  transferred  to  C.  C.  Morrison. 

Brick  Conduit  on  Sections  12  and  13  from  Shippey,  Kimball  &  Co.,  at 
$2.09  and  $2.08  per  lineal  foot. 

After  these  contracts  were  awarded,  the  Commissioners  appointed  Mr. 
Edward  P.  Knowlton  as  Inspector  of  work,  whose  duty  it  was  to  examine 
the  work  as  laid,  and  to  report  daily  at  the  office  of  the   Commissioners. 

On  the  morning  of  March  20th,  the  following  note  was  received  by  the 
Commissioners. 

Saturday  Morning. 
Gents,  —  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  two  Carpet  Factories  have  been 
destroyed  by  fire  this  morning.     All  had  been  regular  respecting  fires  and  lights. 
Nothing  done  which  could  injure  the  Insurance. 

Yours,  in  haste, 

(Signed,)  W.  H.  KNIGHT. 

These  Factories  were  insured  for  the  benefit  of  the  City  to  the  amount  of 
$17,500,  which  was  paid  in  full;  there  was  also  received  from  the  sale  of 
old  materials  and  machinery  $8,556.92,  and  from  rents  $4,900,  also  on 
account  of  the  sale  of  land,  on  which  the  Factories  stood,  the  sum  of 
$4,124.86. 

As  the  Commissioners  could  not  agree  with  Mr.  Benjamin  Adams  upon 
the  value  of  his  Estate  on  Hancock  and  Derne  streets,  application  was 
made  to  the  Court,  May  5th,  1847,  to  appoint  a  commission  to  assess  his 
damage,  but  before  the  appointment,  a  settlement  was  made  upon  his  terms, 

14 


106  [1847. 

viz,  $25,000,  and  interest  from  tlie  day  of  taking.  The  buildings  upon  the 
lot  were  sold  April  9th,  to  be  removed  in  ten  days. 

On  the  morning  of  Monday,  April  19th,  the  work  of  laying  the  Iron  pipes 
in  the  City  was  commenced,  three  separate  parties  being  employed  for  this 
purpose  in  different  sections  of  the  City ;  the  whole  being  under  the  direction 
of  W.  S.  Whitwell,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Eastern  division,  who  was 
assisted  by  George  H.  Bailey,  James  Slade,  James  P.  Sheppard,  Charles 
Perkins,  Frederick  Budden,  Frederick  Tuttle,  and  N.  H.  Crafts. 

The  laying  of  pipes  was  continued,  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  until  Decem- 
ber 17th,  1847,  when  the  work  was  suspended  for  the  winter.  Previous  to 
the  middle  of  July,  over  eight  miles  had  been  laid. 

On  May  14th,  it  was  decided  to  further  enlarge  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir, 
by  including  the  houses  on  Temple  Street  owned  by  H.  W.  Kinsman,  Benja- 
min R.  Curtis,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  and  Charles  T.  Russell ;  also,  the  Bowdoin 
Public  School-house  on  the  corner  of  Temple  and  Derne  streets;  and  the 
tenants  were  notified  to  vacate  the  premises  within  thirty  days. 

The  cost  of  the  estates  purchased  for  the  location  of  this  Reservoir  were  as 
follows  : 

Estate  of  John  Hancock,  in  the  rear  of  the  other  estates       .  $35,876  62 

"  "  Benjamin  Adams,  on  Hancock  and  Derne  Streets  .  25,725  00 

"  "  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  on  Hancock  Street,  13,000  00 

"  "  H.  W.  Kinsman,  on  Temple  Street        .         .         .  8,615  00 

"  "  Benjamin  R.  Curtis,  on  Temple  Street           .         .  15,000  00 

"  "  Charles  P.  Curtis,  on               «         «             .         .  10,350  00 

"  "  Charles  T.  Russell,  on             «         «             .         .  8,647  33 

"  "  City  of  Boston,  corner  of  Temple  and  Derne  streets  30,000  00 

Total $147,213  95 

Less  Cash  received  for  old  materials  sold  ....  2,106  85 


Cost  of  land     .....         $145,107  10 

The  Commissioners  in  speaking  of  the  site  for  this  Reservoir  in  one  of 
their  Reports  to  the  City  Council  say :  "  This  Hill  derived  its  name  from 
a  Beacon  which  was  erected  upon  its  summit,  at  an  early  period  of  the 
history  of  the  town.  This  Beacon  was  blown  down  in  the  year  1789,  and 
in  its  place  was  erected  a  Doric  Column  60  feet  in  height,  with  an  inscription 
on  its  pedestal  in  commemoration  of  the  prominent  events  of  the  War  of  the 
Revolution.  The  site  of  this  Monument  was  within  the  limits  of  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  Reservoir,  but  the  base  of  the  Monument  was  at  an  elevation 


1847.] 


107 


of  more  than  seventy  feet  above  the  foundation  of  the  structure  as  now  laid. 
The  Hill  being  too  high  and  steep  to  be  occupied  by  dwelling-houses  it 
was  dug  away  and  the  Monument  taken  down." 

In  speaking  of  the  difference  of  the  level  of  water  in  the  Beacon  Hill  and 
Brookline  Reservoirs,  they  say :  "  It  must  be  apparent  that,  at  whatever  height 
the  water  may  be  at  Brookline,  it  must,  when  flowing,  be  at  a  lower  level 
on  Beacon  Hill.  The  difference  in  the  height  of  water  in  the  two  Reservoirs 
will  increase  or  diminish,  as  the  supply  and  discharge  may  vary." 

The  first  payment  on  account  of  the  purchase  of  land  for  the  Brookline 
Reservoir,  was  made  June  8th,  to  J.  C.  Clark  and  daughters.  Several  estates 
were  afterwards  purchased,  and  it  was  finally  decided  to  include  a  portion  of 
the  estate  of  John  E.  Thayer ;  Mr.  Hale  dissenting,  "  on  the  ground  that,  in 
his  opinion,  a  Reservoir  of  an  area  of  sixteen  acres,  twelve  feet  in  depth,  unless 
where  the  present  surface  of  the  ground  will  give  a  greater  depth,  would  be 
ample  for  all  the  uses  for  which  it  would  be  required  at  any  future  day,  under 
any  supposable  extent  of  demand  for  the  water,  and  for  any  quantity  which  the 
Aqueduct  is  capable  of  affording ;  that  the  land  already  purchased,  and  that 
proposed  to  be  taken,  embraced  in  the  Clark,  Hayden  and  Heath  estates,  is 
exactly  adapted  to  the  forming  of  a  Reservoir  of  these  dimensions,  and  of  a 
convenient  and  tasteful  form,  by  merely  shaping  the  surrounding  bank  to  make 
it  correspond  nearly  with  the  natural  surface  of  the  earth  on  all  sides  except 
one,  and  with  but  a  moderate  expense  for  excavation ;  and  that  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  Reservoir,  by  embracing  in  it  the  land  of  Mr.  Thayer,  will  enhance 
the  cost,  not  only  by  the  price  of  the  land  so  taken,  but  by  the  increased 
expense  of  a  much  more  extensive  embankment  without  any  additional 
benefit." 

The  Commissioners  being  unable  to  agree  with  Mr.  Thayer  as  to  the  value 
of  his  land  taken,  about  five  acres,  and  as  to  the  damages  to  the  rest  of  his 
estate,  it  was  referred  to  Edw.  H.  Robbins,  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  Jr.,  and  John 
L.  Gardner,  who  made  their  award  July  8th,  amounting  to  $22,500. 

The  estates  purchased  for  the  location  of  this  Reservoir,  were  as  follows : 

From  Joshua  C.  Clark,  and  daughters,       .         .         .  $10,201  69 

"      Charles  Heath,                8,107  75 

"      John  C.  Hayden,             4,609  50 

"      Heirs  of  David  Hyslop,            ....  12,99999 

«      John  E.  Thayer,              22,500  00 


Total  for  about  thirty  acres, 


$58,418  93 


108  [1847. 

Durino;  the  month  of  August,  several  routes  were  surveyed  for  carrying  the 
main  pipe  to  South  Boston,  and  it  was  finally  decided  on  the  30th,  to  adopt 
the  Dovei-  Street  route,  in  preference  to  that  through  Roxbury  and  Dorchester. 
It  was  also  decided  that  one  of  the  main  pipes  from  Brookline  Reservoir 
should  be  36  inches  diameter  from  the  Reservoir  to  Dover  Street. 

The  foundation  for  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  being  nearly  completed,  it 
was  decided  to  lay  the  Corner  Stone  on  the  13th  of  November,  at  12  o'clock; 
but  at  lialf  past  eleven,  the  ring  at  the  head  of  the  mast  of  the  derrick  to 
which  the  stone  was  suspended  gave  way,  slightly  injuring  a  little  boy,  and 
breaking  the  leg  of  a  little  girl,  by  the  name  of  Frances  Maria  Hobbs,  and 
doing  considerable  damage  at  the  works.  The  laying  of  the  stone  was 
consequently  postponed. 

On  the  morning  of  November  20th,  a  Procession  was  formed  at  the  City 
Hall  under  the  direction  of  Francis  Tukey,  the  City  Marshal,  consisting 
of  the  City  Government,  the  Commissioners,  Contractors  and  invited  guests, 
preceded  by  a  band  of  music,  and  marched  to  the  site  for  the  Reservoir 
on  Derne  street,  where  the  Corner  Stone  was  duly  laid.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  the  Rev.  N.  Adams,  and  an  Address  was  made  by  the  Mayor, 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  A  copper  box  12  inches  square  and  6  inches  deep 
was  deposited  in  the  stone;  it  contained  some  of  the  publications  of  the 
day,  the  various  Reports  on  Water,  and  two  silver  plates;  on  one  was 
engraved  the  following  inscription :  "  The  Water  Commissioners  deposit 
this  testimonial  of  respect  for  the  memories  of  the  late  Loammi  Baldwin, 
Martin  Brimmer,  Thomas  A.  Davis  and  Patrick  T.  Jackson,  who  severally 
rendered  important  assistance  in  promoting  the  adoption  of  the  plans  for 
a  perpetual  supply  of  pure  water  to  the  Citizens  of  Boston."  On  the 
other  plate  were  engraved  the  names  of  the  City  Government,  Water 
Commissioners,  Water  Committee,  Engineers  and  Contractors. 

The  Corner  Stone  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Temple  and  Derne  streets, 
the  box  being  let  into  the  upper  part  of  the  base  at  the  angle. 

A  Report  was  sent  to  the  City  Council,  Dec.  13th,  by  the  Water  Commis- 
sioners, recommending  that,  in  addition  to  the  White  Hall  Pond  Reservoir, 
already  purchased  by  order  of  the  City  Council,  they  should  receive  power 
to  purchase  other  water  rights  for  the  purpose  of  forming  Compensating 
Reservoirs,  as  they  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  rely  solely  on  the  one 
purchased;  an  Order  was  accordingly  passed  as  mentioned  in  Part  I. 
Chapter  VIE. 

During  this  year,  1847,  the  Commissioners  settled  for,  and  received  deeds 
of  over  sixty  pieces  of  land  on  the  borders  of  the  Lake  and  on  the  line  of 
the  Conduit. 


1848.] 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

1848. 

Death  of  the  Superintendent  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  —  Appointment  of  his  Successor  — 
Purchase  of  the  Marlboro'  Reservoirs  —  Cracks  in  the  Conduit  —  Agreement  with  the 
Selectmen  of  Brookline  —  Difficulty  in  building  the  Conduit  in  the  first  and  second  Sec- 
tions—  Newton  and  Brookline  Tunnels  completed — W.  C.  Barstow's  oflTer  to  carry  a 
Pipe  to  East  Boston  —  Mr.  Jervis'  term  of  office  extended  —  Main  Pipes  from  the  Brook- 
line Reservoir  to  Dover  Street  —  Number  and  weight  of  the  same  —  Land  purchased  for 
the  South  Boston  Reservoir  —  Pipe  over  the  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad  Bridge  — 
Location  of  the  Fountain  on  the  Common  —  Accident  in  the  Newton  Tunnel  —  Conduit 
finished  —  Water  let  into  the  Conduit  and  the  iron  Pipes  —  Extract  from  Mr.  Hale's 
Address  at  the  Water  Celebration  —  Water  let  into  the  Service  Pipes  and  into  the  Brook- 
line Reservoir  —  Fracture  in  the  Iron  Pipe. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Chamberlain,  who  lias  been  spoken  of  as  the  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  left  for  Virginia  on  January  20th,  for  the 
benefit  of  his  health,  and  died  there  on  February  29th,  1848.  The  Commis- 
sioners, in  speaking  of  his  death,  said  that  they  had  lost  an  intelligent  and 
skilful  agent,  to  whose  watchful  care  was  committed  the  important  trust  of 
procuring  a  firm  and  durable  foundation  for  that  structure,  and  upon  whom 
they  had  relied  for  insuring  a  thorough  execution  of  the  whole  work.  Mr. 
Charles  Pratt,  of  Cohasset,  was  afterwards  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  1 848,  the  Commissioners  were  occupied  in 
negotiating  for  land  taken,  and  in  making  their  arrangements  for  the  energetic 
prosecution  of  the  work  in  the  Spring ;  also,  in  making  contracts  for  iron  pipes 
of  various  sizes  for  the  distribution  in  the  City.  The  only  work  that  was 
continued  through  the  winter  was  on  the  two  tunnels  in  Newton  and  Brook- 
line. 

January  13th,  1848,  the  Commissioners  purchased  of  Mr.  Amory  Maynard 
the  Marlborough  and  Boon  Pond  Reservoir,  for  the  sum  of  $21,148.90;  they 
finally  cost,  however,  when  the  dam  was  completed  and  the  Reservoir  ready 
for  use,  $43,170.59. 


110  [1848. 

In  the  month  of  March,  when  the  Conduit  was  opened  for  the  Spring  work, 
several  cracks  were  discovered  in  the  fourth  section  of  the  first  division.  The 
engineers  were  instructed  to  make  an  examination,  and  report  to  the  Commis- 
sioners the  cause  of  the  same.  In  their  Report,  they  say :  "  They  do  not 
consider  that  the  cracks  were  caused  by  any  defect  of  construction,  but  from 
the  uneven  settlement  of  the  ground,  and  recommended  that  the  cracks  should 
be  thoroughly  pointed  up,"  which  was  done. 

March  16th,  the  Commissioners  having  encroached  upon  the  road  with  the 
embankment  of  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  they  agreed  with  the  Selectmen  to 
pay  to  the  town  of  Brookline,  the  sum  of  $1,000,  on  condition  that  the  streets 
through  Bradley's  Hill  should  be  lowered  not  less  than  four  feet,  on  or  before 
the  15th  day  of  June  next,  and  on  the  further  consideration,  that  the  City 
of  Boston  should  be  saved  harmless  against  any  claims  for  damages,  for 
encroachment  upon  the  said  road,  to  the  extent  indicated  on  the  plan  of  the 
Reservoir  as  now  laid  out. 

The  Commissioners  in  their  Report  of  April  1st,  in  speaking  of  the  Con- 
duit, say :  "  The  Conduit  yet  to  be  laid  in  Sections  1st  and  2d,  embracing  the 
unlaid  portion  within  the  first  12,000  feet  from  the  lake,  will  probably  be  the 
last  to  be  finished,  owing  to  the  quicksand  and  water  with  which  the  workmen 
have  to  contend.  This  is  a  diflfieult  part  of  the  work,  and  although  practicable, 
it  will  necessarily  be  expensive,  and  slow  in  its  progress." 

April  28th,  the  workmen  in  the  drifts,  from  the  two  ends  of  the  Newton 
Tunnel,  brought  their  works  together,  which  was  the  occasion  of  great  re- 
joicing.    The  same  event  took  place  in  the  Brookline  Tunnel  on  June  26th. 

During  the  month  of  April,  Mr.  W.  C.  Barstow  offered  to  carry  a  12-inch 
iron  pipe  upon  the  bed  of  the  river  to  East  Boston,  deep  enough  to  clear  any 
anchors,  for  the  sum  of  $108,000.  Mr.  Barstow  had  several  interviews  with 
the  Commissioners  and  Engineers  upon  the  subject,  but  as  he  was  unable  to 
convince  them  of  its  practicability,  his  offer  was  not  accepted. 

On  May  15th,  Mr.  Jervis  sent  a  note  to  the  Commissioners,  stating  that 
the  two  years  for  which  his  services  were  engaged  had  expired,  and  asking 
if  they  wished  to  continue  the  engagement ;  and  it  was  thereupon  voted,  that 
he  be  requested  to  retain  his  office  of  Consulting  Engineer  until  the  intro- 
duction of  the  water  into  the  City. 

In  the  monthly  Report  of  June  1st,  in  speaking  of  the  two  main  pipes, 
the  Commissioners  say:  "The  parallel  main  pipes  of  30  and  36  inches 
interior  diameter,  leading  from  the  Reservoir  in  Brookline,  through  the 
streets  in  Brookline  and  Roxbury,  to  Dover  Street  in  Boston,  a  distance 
of  3f  miles,  are  now  being  laid  as  fast  as  the  supply  of  pipe  and  a  reason- 


1848.] 


Ill 


able  regard  to  economy  and  the  accommodation  of  the  public  travel  will 
permit.  This  branch  of  the  work,  the  parallel  mains,  is  in  some  degree 
difficult  and  rather  expensive,  but  it  is  to  be  considered  that  for  the  above 
distance  of  3f  miles  there  will  be  laid,  when  the  work  is  finished,  2,284 
pipes  of  three  feet  diameter,  and  a  like  number  of  30-inch  diameter, 
making  an  aggregate  quantity  of  7,728  net  tons,  with  nearly  90  lbs.  of  lead 
to  each  joint.  The  cost  of  materials  with  the  rock  and  earth  excavations, 
and  laying  the  double  row  of  pipes  in  the  same  trench,  must  be  heavy,  and 
will  make  a  large  item  in  the  whole  expenditure  upon  the  aqueduct." 

The  first  purchase  of  land  for  the  South  Boston  Reservoir  was  made 
June  23d,  of  Jonathan  Phillips.  The  several  purchases  made  for  the 
location  of  this  Reservoir  were  as  follows ; 

From  Jonathan  Phillips,  for  the  sum  of 

"      John  M.  Mayo,         "     "       "     «  .         . 

^'      Charles  Ewer,         "     "       "     «  .         . 

"     F.  Nickerson,  and  others,  for  the  sum  of 
"     Jos.  Nickerson,  "     «       «     « 

"     The  United  States,  "     «      «    « 

Total  cost  of  land 


,601  42 

5,645  70 

5,618  00 

4,287  20 

995  91 

2,955  00 

I553IO3  23 


In  reference  to  the  pipes  crossing  the  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad 
Company  Bridge,  on  Tremont  street,  they  say :  "  It  is  proposed  to  cross  this 
bridge  in  a  box  of  boiler  iron  of  sujBficient  dimensions  and  strength  to  receive 
and  support  these  pipes,  extending  from  one  abutment  to  the  other,  under  the 
westerly  sidewalk  of  the  Railroad  bridge."  In  the  same  Report,  they  also 
say :  That  they  have  given  attention  to  the  placing  of  a  Fountain  upon  the 
Common,  and  have  decided  upon  using  the  pond  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the 
ground  as  a  receiving  basin,  thus  avoiding  the  expense  of  making  one  else- 
where, as  well  as  the  occupancy  of  other  ground,  and  the  interference  with 
existing  paths. 

The  brick  work  in  the  Newton  tunnel  was  completed  August  2  7th,  and  in 
the  Brookline  one,  August  30th.  A  serious  accident  occurred  during  the  con- 
struction of  the  Newton  tunnel,  by  an  explosion  which  injured  several  work- 
men, one  of  whom,  named  Dennis  Casey,  lost  both  hands. 

September  1 7th,  the  entire  bottom  of  the  brick  work  of  the  Conduit  was 
united ;  and,  October  2d,  the  top  was  closed.  Several  days  were  occupied  in 
pointing  up  and  cleaning  it  out;  and  October  12th,  at  10  o'clock  and  forty- 
two  minutes,  A.  M.,  the  Water  was   let  on  for  the  first  time.     At  three 


112  [1848. 

o'clock,  P.  M.;  it  had  reached  Charles  River,  and  at  half  past  three,  it  had 
crossed  the  river  and  valley,  and  was  well  on  its  wa}^  to  Brookline ;  at  four 
o'clock,  the  water  was  eighteen  inches  deep  in  the  Conduit  on  the  east  side  of 
Charles  River,  and  at  nine  o'clock  and  ten  minutes,  in  the  evening,  it  reached 
the  Brookline  Reservoir,  having  been  ten  hours  and  twenty-eight  minutes  on 
its  way  from  the  Lake  to  the  Reservoir. 

On  the  14th  October,  at  eleven  o'clock  and  fifteen  minutes,  A.  M.,  the 
water  was  let  into  the  small  Conduit,  situated  in  the  northerly  embankment 
of  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  and  from  thence  it  passed  into  the  City  through 
the  30-inch  main  pipe  to  the  Fountain  on  the  Common,  where  it  arrived  at 
two  o'clock  and  live  minutes,  P.  M.,  having  been  two  hours  and  fifty  minutes 
on  its  way  from  the  Reservoir,  or  twelve  hours  and  eighteen  minutes  from  the 
Lake. 

As  everything  was  now  ready  for  the  Public  introduction  of  the  Water 
INTO  the  City,  the  City  Council  were  notified  to  that  effect,  and  the  25th  of 
October,  1848,  was  agreed  upon  for  the  celebration,  an  account  of  which  has 
already  been  given  in  Part  I.,  Chapter  IK.  We  make,  however,  the  following 
extract  from  Mr.  Hale's  Address  on  that  occasion :  "  The  waters  of  this 
lake  have  flowed  for  ages  through  a  remote  part  of  the  country  to  the 
ocean.  Their  natural  outlet  is  now  forever  closed,  and  a  new  channel  has 
been  formed,  by  the  excavation  of  the  intervening  barrier  of  earth  and  rock, 
for  conducting  them,  by  gentle  declivity,  to  the  City.  Through  this  channel, 
a  covered  Aqueduct  of  brick  masonry  has  been  built,  to  receive  the  flow  of  a 
uniform  current,  sufficient  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  City,  even  should  its 
population  become  double  its  present  numbers. 

"  This  Aqueduct,  instead  of  inviting  admiration  like  some  of  the  works  of 
ancient  art,  constructed  for  a  similar  purpose,  is  almost  concealed  from  view 
by  the  earth  which  has  been  replaced  over  it,  and  the  public  will  be  left  to 
judge  of  its  magnitude  and  difficulty,  and  of  the  labor  and  skill  required  in  its 
accomplishment,  chiefly  from  a  computation  of  its  cost.  Its  value,  however, 
will  be  measured  by  the  degree  in  which  it  shall  accomplish  its  purpose. 

"  Li  those  parts  of  the  work  which  are  exposed  to  view,  it  was  decided  to 
adopt  a  style  of  architecture,  severe  and  simple,  indicative  of  a  prudent  econ- 
omy, Imt  at  the  same  time  such  as  would  not  degrade  the  character  of  a  great 
public  work,  or  give  offence  even  to  a  fastidious  taste." 

The  day  after  the  celebration,  the  Fountain  on  the  Common  was  played 
during  the  entire  day;  and  on  the  31st,  the  water  was  let  into  the  Service 
Pipes  for  the  first  time,  to  the  great  joy  of  all  who  had  their  fixtures  pre- 
pared. 


1848.]  113 

November  IGth,  the  Commissioners  with  the  Mayor,  City  Council  and 
invited  guests,  went  to  Brookline  to  see  the  water  let  into  the  Reservoir  for 
the  first  time.  Soon  after  their  arrival,  the  stop-planks  were  removed,  and 
the  water  came  gushing  forth  amid  the  cheers  of  the  people.  It  soon 
became  turbid,  from  the  nature  of  the  materials  of  which  the  bottom  and 
banks  of  the  Reservoir  were  composed,  and  it  was  left  to  clear  itself  by 
settling,  while  the  supply  for  the  citizens  was  continued  through  the  small 
Conduit.  In  a  few  weeks,  the  water  in  the  Reservoir  was  perfectly  clear ; 
it  was  let  into  the  pipes,  and  the  use  of  the  small  Conduit  was  discontinued. 

After  the  water  had  been  let  on,  there  were  several  fractures  on  the  line 
of  the  iron  pipes ;  the  most  serious  were  the  bursting  of  two  large  stopcocks, 
and  that  of  one  of  the  Y  branches,  owing  probably  to  the  sudden  stoppage 
of  a  quick  current  of  water,  and  a  comparative  weakness,  caused  by  a 
change  of  form  in  the  pipe  from  the  cylindrical  to  a  flattened  or  rectangular 
section.  One  of  the  large  30-inch  pipes  was  soon  afterwards  cracked  from 
some  unknown  cause. 

15 


[1849. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

1849. 

Resignation  of  Mr  Jervis  —  Eeply  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  question  as  to  whether 
the  South  Boston  Reservoir  could  be  dispensed  with  —  Petition  to  have  a  Tower 
placed  on  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  —  Reply  of  the  Commissioners  —  Water  ordered  to  be 
carried  to  East  Boston  —  Temporary  Pipe  laid  —  Pipe  broken  by  the  Anchor  of  a  Schooner 
—  Land  purchased  for  a  Reservoir  in  East  Boston  —  Water  let  into  the  Beacon  Hill  and 
South  Boston  Reservoirs  —  Claims  for  damages  on  account  of  the  construction  of  the 
Newton  Tunnel  —  Newton  Aqueduct  Company  organized  —  Property  of  the  Company  — 
Agreement  between  the  City  of  Boston,  and  the  Aqueduct  Company  —  Water  for  Eoun- 
tains  —  Amount  paid  the  principal  Contractors  —  Amount  paid  by  the  Commissioners. 

The  introduction  of  the  water  into  the  City  being  the  limit  of  time  for  which 
Mr.  Jarvis  Jiad  accepted  the  office,  he  resigned  his  position  as  consulting 
Engineer,  January  1st,  1849,  as  he  did  not  consider  that  he  could  render  any 
further  assistance.  On  the  4th,  the  Commissioners  sent  a  letter,  thanking  him 
for  his  valuable  services,  and  acknowledging  the  great  assistance  he  had 
rendered  to  them  and  to  the  Chief  Engineers. 

The  Mayor  having  submitted  to  the  Commissioners  the  question  of  dispens- 
ing with  the  Reservoirs  on  Telegraph  Hill,  they  replied,  March  6th,  "  that  in 
their  opinion  it  constitutes  a  beneficial  part  of  the  system  of  the  distribution 
for  the  City ;  it  is  essential  to  the  adequate  and  permanent  supply  of  South 
Boston,  and  it  would  be  false  economy  to  postpone  its  construction  to  a  future 
date."  "  The  grounds  upon  which  the  Commissioners  decided  to  establish 
this  Reservoir  in  South  Boston  were,  that  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  was  too 
small  to  serve  all  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  designed,  if  relied  on  for  the 
supply  of  the  whole  City ;  that  a  larger  Reservoir  in  the  old  part  of  the  City 
could  not  have  been  built  but  at  a  much  greater  cost  than  that  by  which  an 
equal  supply  can  be  obtained  at  South  Boston ;  and  for  the  supply  of  South 
Boston  itself,   Telegraph  Hill  is  the   situation  best    adapted,  not   only  on 


1849.]  115 

account  of  its  vicinity  to  the  houses  to  be  supplied,  but  on  account  of  the 
resource  which  it  would  afford  in  case  of  an  interruption  of  the  supply. 

"  Although  efforts  have  been  made  to  protect  the  pipe  which  conducts  the 
water  across  the  channel  at  South  Boston  Bridge,  it  must  be  regarded  as  the 
most  vulnerable  part  of  the  system  of  distribution.  It  is,  therefore,  fortunate 
that  land  for  a  large  Reservoir,  at  so  eligible  a  point  as  Telegraph  Hill,  can 
be  obtained  at  a  moderate  cost,  compared  with  the  value  of  land  in  the  heart 
of  the  City,  where  a  supply  will  be  provided  for  South  Boston  for  a  period 
of  some  days,  in  the  contingency  of  a  failure  of  the  pipe  which  crosses  the 
bridge  and  channel :  that  the  same  Reservoir,  while  the  ordinary  connection 
with  the  City  is  maintained,  will  be  made  subsidiary  to  that  on  Beacon  Hill, 
in  serving  all  its  purposes ;  and  that  all  these  advantages  may  be  obtained 
at  a  moderate  cost,  compared  with  that  of  a  Reservoir  of  equal  height  and 
capacity  in  any  other  part  of  the  City." 

The  amount  of  land  required  for  this  Reservoir  was  126,000  square  feet, 
which  was  purchased  of  the  parties  mentioned  in  the  previous  chapter ;  the 
balance  of  the  lot  forming  the  Hill  was  purchased  by  the  City  for  a  Square, 
and  in  April,  an  exchange  was  made  with  the  City  of  a  portion  of  the  land 
purchased  for  the  Reservoir,  for  a  portion  of  that  bought  for  a  Square ;  the 
object  being  to  obtain  a  better  form  and  appearance  for  both. 

Several  citizens  being  desirous  that  a  Tower  should  be  erected  on  the  top 
of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  and  Moses  Grant  having  sent  a  letter  to  the 
Commissioners  on  June  30th,  asking  that  one  might  be  erected  and  used  for  a 
fire-alarm  bell,  they  replied  on  the  6th  of  July,  stating  that  they  did  not 
consider  the  place  eligible  for  that  purpose;  and,  in  their  opinion,  the 
erection  of  such  a  Tower  would  be  detrimental  to  the  plan  of  the  structure ; 
that  it  might  become  an  attraction  for  visitors  to  the  Reservoir,  which  for 
obvious  reasons  should  never  be  a  common  resort. 

The  City  Council  having  passed  an  Order  authorizing  the  Commissioners 
to  carry  the  water  to  East  Boston,  provided  the  expense  should  not  exceed  the 
sum  of  $400,000,  the  Commissioners  sent  them  a  communication,  June  21st,  in 
which  they  stated  that  they  did  not  think  it  prudent  or  wise  to  commence  the 
work  until  a  further  investigation  had  been  made,  and  for  that  purpose,  they 
had  instructed  the  Chief  Engineers,  Messrs.  Whitwell  and  Chesbrough,  to 
make  such  further  investigation  as  might  be  necessary  to  enable  them  to  unite 
on  a  plan  of  construction  and  an  estimate  of  cost,  which  would  be  submitted 
to  the  Council  as  soon  as  received.  This  was  signed  by  Messrs.  Hale  and 
Curtis ;  and,  July  24th,  after  the  Report  of  Messrs. Whitwell  and  Chesbrough 


116  [1849. 

had  been  made,  as  mentioned  in  Part  I,,  Chapter  X.,  Mr.  Curtis,  one  of 
the  Commissioners,  made  a  Communication  to  the  City  Council  in  which  he 
stated  that  the  revised  estimates  amounted  to  $480,000,  and  that  experience 
justified  the  belief  that  the  sum  proposed  by  the  City  Council  is  not  large 
enough ;  and  he  therefore  respectfully  suggested  that  the  above  sum,  or  in  round 
numbers  $500,000,  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Water  Commissioners  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  the  inhabitants  of  East  Boston  with  the  Cochituate 
water ;  with  such  modifications  of  the  proposed  plan  as  the  Water  Commis- 
sioners shall  deem  best,  and  that  the  work  be  commenced  forthwith. 

On  the  25th  of  July,  Mr.  Hale,  one  of  the  Commissioners,  made  a  Communi- 
cation upon  the  same  subject,  in  which  he  says  :  "  That  the  Commissioners  have 
not  agreed  upon  a  plan  which  they  deem  unobjectionable,  and  therefore  they 
are  not  able  to  form  an  estimate  of  cost  which  they  consider  entitled  to  reliance ; 
and  he  himself  is  not  prepared  to  recommend  for  adoption  the  plan  proposed 
by  the  Chief  Engineers,  without  important  modifications  which  may  materially 
increase  its  cost ;  but  that  he  believes  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Commissioners 
to  agree  upon  a  plan,  and  report  the  cost  of  the  same  to  the  City  Council, 
with  as  little  delay  as  possible.  " 

The  Water  Committee,  not  being  satisfied  with  these  Reports,  sent  a  note 
to  Mr.  Baldwin,  the  other  Commissioner,  asking  him  to  give  his  views  on  the 
subject.  In  his  reply  of  August  6th,  he  reviews  the  whole  subject  at  some 
length,  and  suggests  that  they  consider  the  plan  for  obtaining  the  supply  for 
East  Boston  from  Spot  Pond.  In  regard  to  the  plan  proposed  by  the  Engi- 
neers, he  says :  "  That  there  are  difficulties  and  exposures  to  be  encountered 
in  pursuing  the  line  of  the  bridges  through  Charlestown  and  Chelsea,  no  one 
will  deny,  but  if  the  Cochituate  water  is  to  be  furnished  to  the  inhabitants  of 
East  Boston,  I  am  not  prepared  to  offer  any  other  plan  than  that  reported 
upon  by  the  engineers,  with  perhaps  some  modifications  as  to  the  size  of  the 
pipes  and  the  height  of  the  Reservoir. 

"  As  to  the  cost  of  the  work,  the  Engineers  have  no  doubt  estimated  its 
expense  as  high  as  they  thought  it  necessary  for  its  full  completion,  but  that 
more  than  the  amount  of  that  estimate  will  not  be  expended  in  carrying 
through  the  enterprise,  I  am  not  willing  to  say." 

He  closes  his  Report,  by  saying :  "  If  upon  a  careful  survey,  and  the  best 
estimate  that  can  be  obtained,  the  cost  of  introducing  the  water  of  Spot  Pond 
into  East  Boston  should  be  found  not  greatly  to  exceed  the  cost  of  conveying 
the  Cochituate  water  there  by  the  plan  proposed,  then  I  should  prefer  Spot 
Pond  as  the  source ;  but  if  the  water  of  Lake  Cochituate  is  to  be  conveyed 
there,  I  would  pursue  the  plan  pointed  out  in  the  Engineer's  Report." 


1849.] 


117 


On  the  13th  of  August,  the  City  Council  decided  to  adopt  the  plan  proposed 
by  the  Engineers,  as  mentioned  in  Part  I.,  Chapter  X. 

At  the  same  time,  a  vote  was  passed  authorizing  the  Commissioners  to  lay  a 
temporary  pipe  to  East  Boston.  Accordingly,  a  two  and  one-half  inch  lead 
pipe  was  laid  across  the  channel  at  the  ferry  landings,  and  extended  on  the  East 
Boston  side  to  Maverick  Square,  to  a  large  Cistern  built  for  the  purpose. 
Water  was  let  into  this  pipe  for  the  first  time,  September  8th.  A  few  weeks 
after  it  was  laid,  it  was  cut  off  by  an  anchor  of  a  schooner  passing  over  it ;  it 
was  immediately  repaired,  and  remained  in  operation  until  the  latter  part  of 
December,  when  it  froze  up,  and  no  effort  was  made  to  thaw  it  out,  as  the 
main  line  was  nearly  completed.  The  pipe  was  taken  up  during  the  Spring 
of  1851,  when  a  portion  was  found  frozen  solid,  and  it  was  burst  in  several 
places.  A  piece  of  this  pipe,  about  twelve  inches  long,  is  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  at  their  ofl&ce  in  the  City  Hall. 


The  East  Boston  Eeservoir  was  finally  located  on  Eagle  Hill,  and  the 
first  purchase  of  land  for  this  location   was  made  September  24th,   1849. 


The  Estates  purchased  for  this  Reservoir 
J.  Gooding's  for 
Sturtevant,  Edwards  &  Co's.  for 
Edward  W.  Brown's  " 

Davis  Hatch's  « 

East  Boston  Company's  " 

Total  cost  of  land  . 


were  as  follows 


12,250.00 
2,250.00 

.  2,500.00 
2,250.00 

14,612.50 

$23,862.50 


The  ofier  of  the  East  Boston  Company  to  give  an  acre  of  land  for  the 
location  of  a  Reservoir,  which  is  referred  to  in  one  of  the  Reports  of  the 
Engineer,  was  made  when  the  first  survey  was  completed,  and  it  was  supposed 
the  main  pipe  would  cross  Chelsea  Creek,  and  upon  the  decision  to  locate 
the  Reservoir  at  Eagle  Hill  where  the  land  was  more  valuable,  the  offer 
was  withdrawn. 


Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  having  been  completed,  the  water  was  let  into 
it  through  the  30-inch  pipe  at  half  past  nine  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of 
November  23  d,  1849,  audit  was  filled  in  18J  hours;  in  21J  hours  it  had 
risen  to  4J  inches  on  the  wasteway  by  which  the  overflow  is  discharged  into 
the  common  sewer ;  but,  on  account  of  numerous  leaks,  the  water  was  drawn 
out  for  repairs. 


118  [1849. 

The  water  was  lot  into  the  South  Boston  Resekvoir  at  four  o'clock,  on 
the  afternoon  of  November  28th,  1849. 

Several  large  claims  for  damages  having  been  made,  from  persons  living 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Newton  tunnel,  on  the  ground  that  they  were  deprived 
of  water  in  their  wells,  in  consequence  of  the  construction  of  the  tunnel, 
it  was  decided  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  these  demands,  and  furnishing  the 
parties  with  a  sufficient  supply  of  water,  notwithstanding  the  Commissioners 
believed  that  the  water  would  eventually  return  to  the  springs,  to  construct 
an  Aqueduct  in  Newton,  and  a  Company  was  formed  according  to  the 
provisions  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  the  Commonwealth,  under  the  name 
of  the  Newton  Aqueduct  Company,  all  the  stock  of  which  is  now  held  in  trust 
for  the  City. 

This  Company  was  organized  at  the  Nonantum  House  in  Newton,  October 
29th,  1849,  at  a  meeting  legally  called  for  that  purpose  by  George  P.  Sanger, 
Esq.,  Justice  of  Peace.  At  this  meeting,  David  K.  Hitchcock  was  chosen 
chairman,  and  George  P.  Sanger,  clerk,  and  all  the  forms  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  incorporated  Company  were  legally  complied  with.  The  capital 
stock  was  fixed  at  $10,000,  divided  into  100  shares  of  $100  each:  Messrs.  R. 
W.  Holman,  D.  K.  Hitchcock,  and  J.  H.  Silsby,  were  elected  Directors.  The 
assent  of  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Newton,  was  obtained  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  Aqueduct,  which  consent  was  signed  by  Isaac  Hogan,  Stephen 
W.  Trowbridge,  Nathan  Crafts,  Benjamin  W.  Kingsbury,  and  Ephraim 
Grover. 

At  the  date  of  its  organization,  ninety-six  shares  of  the  stock  were  held  by 
R.  W.  Holman;  and  J.  H.  Silsby,  Joseph  White,  David  K.  Hitchcock, 
and  Orin  T.  Clark  held  one  share  each;  subsequently,  ninety-five  of  the 
shares  of  R.  W.  Holman,  and  the  share  of  Joseph  White  were  sold  to  the 
Company,  and  were  afterwards  held  as  follows :  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  City 
Engineer,  and  his  successors  in  that  office,  Trustee  for  the  City  of  Boston, 
ninety  shares ;  R.  W.  Holman  and  assigns.  Trustee  for  the  City  of  Boston, 
five  shares;  Mr.  White's  and  Mr.  Hitchcock's  shares  were  transferred  to 
Messrs.  Thomas  Wetmore  and  E.  S.  Chesbrough. 

A  description  of  the  property  of  the  Company  will  be  found  in  Part  TV., 
Chapter  XXIY, 


The  question  having  been  submitted  to  the  Commissioners  as  to  the  best 
mode  of  conducting  the  water  works  after  their  term  of  office  expired,  they 
replied,  on  the  1 8th  of  December,  that  they  thought  a  Board  consisting  of  a 


1849.]  119 

Commissioner,  Engineer  and  Registrar,  who  should  be  paid  for  their  services, 
was  better  than  a  Board  receiving  no  compensation. 

Several  applications  for  water  for  the  supply  of  Fountains  having  been  made, 
the  Commissioners  reported  on  the  subject  to  the  City  Council,  November  1st, 
in  which  they  say :  "  The  demand  for  this  use  being  rather  for  embellishment, 
and  the  gratification  of  the  taste,  than  for  objects  of  necessity,  it  would  be 
unreasonable  to  suffer  it  to  interfere  with  the  maintenance  of  an  adequate 
supply  of  water  for  domestic,  and  other  urgent  purposes. 

"  So  far,  however,  as  a  limited  appropriation  of  surplus  water  can  be  afforded 
for  this  use,  it  seems  desirable  to  favor  this  application  of  it,  as  a  means  of 
promoting  health  and  enjoyment,  as  well  as  embellishing  the  public  and  private 
grounds  of  the  City ;  and  also  as  a  mode  of  deriving  some  additional  revenue. 
This  can  be  done  only  by  fixing  moderate  rates  of  charge,  accompanied  with 
suitable  regulations  and  restrictions,  by  which  the  use  shall  be  limited, 
whenever  necessary,  to  a  moderate  quantity,  which  shall,  in  such  cases,  be 
proportioned  to  the  compensation  paid,  in  the  same  manner  as  where  water  is 
supplied  for  other  uses.  A  profuse  use  of  water  for  Fountains  in  the  City, 
unless  limited  to  the  surplus  not  required  for  domestic  and  other  indispensable 
purposes,  would  be  a  very  costly  luxury,  especially  if  it  be  permitted  to  flow 
uninterruptedly. " 

They  state  that  there  are  three  classes  of  Fountains  : 

"  First,  such  as  are  exclusively  of  a  public  character,  as  those  on  the  Com- 
mon and  in  the  State  House  grounds.  For  the  maintenance  of  Fountains  of 
this  class,  the  supply  must  be  gratuitous,  but  the  quantity  appropriated  to  each 
should  be  subjected  to  fixed  limitations,  not  liable  to  he  exceeded  at  the  discretion 
of  an  individual  manager  ;  and  the  periods  of  playing  should  be  restricted  by 
rules,  subject  to  variation  from  time  to  time,  according  to  the  extent  of  the 
surplus  water  which  may  be  thus  appropriated  without  impairing  the  means 
of  supply  for  more  urgent  uses. 

"  Second,  Fountains  erected  in  public  squares  appropriated  to  the  embel- 
lishment of  particular  sections  of  the  City,  and  for  the  more  especial  benefit 
of  estates  adjoining.  Although  Fountains  of  this  description  serve  in  some 
degree  for  the  general  embellishment  of  the  City,  as  among  its  public  orna- 
ments, and  for  the  common  gratification  of  its  citizens,  they  contribute  more 
effectually  to  the  gratification  of  those  who  reside  in  their  immediate  vicinity, 
and  serve  to  increase  the  value  of  estates  situated  within  view  of  them.  It 
seems  reasonable,  therefore,  that  the  citizens  who  enjoy  this  special  benefit, 
and  whose  estates  or  places  of  residence  are  thus  enhanced  in  value,  should 


120  [1849. 

contribute  something,  individually,  to  the  cost  of  maintaining  such  Fountains. 
Otherwise,  those  citizens  whose  property  and  places  of  residence  are  so  sit- 
uated as  not  to  afford  them  a  participation  in  this  special  benefit  might  justly 
complain,  that  they  were  subject  to  a  charge  for  the  maintenance  of  a  luxury 
in  which  they  do  not  enjoy  an  equal  share. 

"  The  third  class  of  Fountains  consists  of  those  which  are  strictly  private, 
and  arc  appropriated  to  the  embellishment  of  private  property. 

"  Ornamental  Fountains  of  this  class  are  justly  deserving  of  encouragement, 
as  contributing  to  the  general  embellishment  of  the  City,  and  probably  in 
some  degree  to  the  preservation  of  the  public  health ;  but  they  are  luxuries 
of  a  strictly  private  nature,  and  the  water  for  maintaining  them  should  be 
paid  for  on  the  same  principle,  if  not  at  as  high  a  rate,  as  water  for  other 
uses.  Yet  as  a  rate  of  charge  graduated  on  the  scale  by  which  the  charge 
for  more  important  uses  is  regulated,  would  in  a  great  measure  amount  to  a 
prohibition  of  its  use  for  this  purpose,  it  may  be  sound  policy,  so  long  as 
the  supply  of  water  in  the  City  is  superabundant  for  all  other  profitable 
uses,  to  encourage  the  appropriation  of  it  to  this  use,  at  such  rates  as 
will  be  likely  to  insure  the  greatest  income  to  the  City,  from  the  surplus 
which  can  be  thus  appropriated." 

They  then  recommend  certain  regulations  for  the  supply  of  water  for 
Fountains  of  the  several  classes,  and  the  rate  of  charge  for  each,  and  close 
their  Report  by  saying :  "  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  for  some  years  to 
come,  there  will  be  a  large  surplus,  which  may  be  safely  appropriated  in  the 
manner  here  suggested." 

In  another  communication  to  the  City  Council,  December  24th,  the  Com- 
missioners say:  "The  whole  subject  of  supplying  water  for  Fountains  has 
been  left  undetermined  by  the  Commissioners,  because  they  did  not  feel 
authorized  to  consent  to  the  use  of  the  water  for  this  purpose,  for  such  rates 
of  compensation  as  the  parties  applying  therefor  are  willing  to  pay,  without 
the  consent  of  the  City  Council  to  a  material  abatement  of  the  ordinary 
rates. 

"In  the  absence  of  any  regulations,  several  Fountains  of  a  semi-public 
character  have  been  supplied  with  water  without  compensation.  Such  an 
appropriation  of  water,  gratuitously,  is  liable  to  become  highly  injurious  to 
the  public  interest.  It  is  now  ascertained,  from  the  quantity  of  water  which 
is  drawn  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir  every  night,  that  there  must  be  a 
waste  of  water,  which  will  have  to  be  checked  if  possible,  and  a  part  of 
this  waste  is  attributable  to  the  use  of  it  in  Fountains." 


1849.] 


121 


The  amount  paid  by  the  Commissioners  to  the  principal  Contractors  were 
as  follows  : 


Gender,  Case  &  Co. 


$324,127.22  on  account  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir. 


Edward  Leonard  &  Sons,  176,451.34 
Carmichael,  Gonder  &  Co.  165,979.90 

Clarke,  Christy  &  Co.  65,978.35 


A.  J.  Hackley, 
William  Gawne, 

Ebenezer  Johnson, 

James  &  Charles  Collins, 

C.  H.  Hill, 
Lead  Pipe  Co. 
Others  for  Bricks, 
"      "      Iron  Pipes, 


64,372.54 
62,195.86 

37,176.79 

36,640.18 

28,674.42 

27,302.20 

197,928.47 

1,137,512.82 


Conduit  and  Tunnels. 
Conduit,  Lake,  Bridges,  Cul- 
verts and  Gate  House. 

Conduit,   Bridges   and    Cul- 
verts. 

Brookline  Reservoir. 

Conduit,   Bridges,    Culverts 
and  Marlboro'  Dam. 

Gate-Houses,    Bridges    and 
Culverts. 

South  &  East  Boston  Reser- 
voirs, Bridges  &  Culverts. 

Excavations  in  the  City. 

Lead  Pipe. 

Conduit. 

Distribution  in  the  City. 


The  total  of  the  payments  by  the  Commissioners,  less  credits  for  materials 
sold,  was  $3,998,051.83. 


The  Commissioners  in  their  final  Report,  January  4th,  1850,  say:  "We 
feel  bound  to  express  our  acknowledgments  to  the  Chief  Engineers,  William 
S.  Whitwell  and  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  Esquires,  for  their  very  able  services,  for 
their  most  faithful  and  satisfactory  discharge  of  all  the  duties  devolved  upon 
them,  and  their  constant  devotion  to  the  expeditious  and  thorough  execution 
of  the  work  in  their  respective  departments. 

"  To  their  skill .  and  efficiency,  we  are  greatly  indebted  for  the  successful 
completion  of  this  great  work."  They  also  express  their  acknowledgments 
to  the  various  officers  of  the  City  Government,  and  to  the  several  persons 
employed  upon  the  works  and  in  the  office  cf  the  Commissioners. 


16 


PAET   THIRD. 


PROCEEDINGS    OF    THE    COCHITUATE    WATER    BOARD, 
FROM     ITS    ORGANIZATION,    IN     1850, 

TO 

JANUARY    1st,    1868. 


1850.] 


CHAPTER    XV. 

1850. 

Members  of  the  Board  —  Management  of  the  Works— Their  first  Meeting  —  Contracts  for  the 
Piles  and  Lumber  for  the  Bridge  at  East  Boston  awarded  —Appointments  made  —  Syphons, 
and  the  Appointment  of  a  Superintendent  to  lay  the  same  —  Gratuitous  supply  of  Water  — 
New  Rooms  for  the  Board  —  Contracts  for  the  Construction  of  the  Bridges  —  Insurance 
of  Buildings  by  the  City  —  Height  of  Water  in  Dug  Pond  —  Contracts  for  Dredging  and 
Excavations  —  First  Syphon  laid  —  Drinking  Hydrants  —  Boats  on  the  Lake  —  Playing 
of  the  Fountains  —  Use  of  the  Grove  near  the  Lake  —  Pipe  across  Chelsea  Creek  — 
Damages  to  the  Brackett  Place  on  account  of  the  loss  of  Water,  and  the  agreements  in 
relation  to  the  same  —  Supply  of  Water  for  the  Navy  Yard  —  Lantern  on  the  Beacon  Hill 
Eeservoir  —  Application  for  Water  to  run  an  Hydraulic  Engine  —  Water  Tariff —  Annual 
Report  of  the  Water  Board  —  Foundations  of  the  Conduit  —  Waste  of  Water  at  the 
Lake  —  Communication  from  the  Water  Board  of  1850  to  the  Board  of  1851  —  Taxes  — 
Regulations  of  Heights,  and  Discharges  of  Water  —  Fountains  —  Waste  of  Water  — 
Lands  —  Use  of  Water  as  a  motive  Power  —  Provision  for  an  increase  of  supply  of 
Water  for  Shipping  —  Ordinance  —  Application  for  the  free  Use  of  Water  by  the  Chil- 
dren's Friend  Society  —  City  Solicitor's  opinion  on  the  same. 

The  election,  by  the  City  Council,  of  B.  S.  Chesbrough,  W.  S.  Whitwell, 
and  J.  Avery  Richards,  to  constitute  the  First  Cochituate  Water  Board, 
took  place  January  4th,  1850,  as  mentioned  in  Part  I.,  Chapter  X. 

They  had  the  control  and  management  of  the  water  works  in  connection 
■with  and  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Water> 
to  whom  they  made  weekly  Reports.  Their  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  office 
of  the  late  Commissioners,  January  5th,  1850. 

At  their  second  meeting,  on  the  9th,  the  proposals  for  the  piles  and  lum- 
ber for  the  bridge  work  on  the  East  Boston  Extension  were  opened  and  the 
contract  awarded  to  Messrs.  Roby  and  McEuesten. 

During  the  month  of  January,  the  following  appointments  were  made  by 
the  Board,  and  approved  by  the  Committee  on  Water : 


126  [1850. 

Commissioners'  Department. 
Marshall  Conant,  Surveyor.  E.  F.   Knowlton,  Inspector  of  Brook- 

Jons  Vannevar,  line  Reservoir  and  Aqueduct  repairs. 

Inspector  of  Lake  Cochituate.  John  H.  Matnard, 

Stephen  Goding,  Inspector  of  2d  Division.         Inspector  of  Marlboro'  Reservoir. 
Albert  AVood, 

Inspector  ofHopkinton  Reservoir 

Engineer's  Department. 

George  H.  Bailey,  Principal  Assistant.  Greely  S.  Curtis,  )  r»  j 

Charles  Perkins,     \j)^^ft,^^^^  N.  H.  Crafts,         > 

Frederic  Baldwin,  '  J.  "Wadleigh, 
S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk.  Foreman  on  Wharf  and  Reservoir. 

Albert  St  an  wood.  Foreman  on  Repairs.  Mr.  Knapp,  Plumber. 
James  Slade,  Assistant  Engineer. 

Registrar's  Department. 
Capt.  Alden  Gifford,  William  F.  Davis,  Clerk. 

Superintendent  of  Shipping. 

Comptroller's  Office. 
Charles  H.  Little,  Clerk.  William  S.  McGowan,  Clerk. 

On  the  22d,  the  Water  Committee  having  asked  for  a  statement  from  the 
Board,  of  the  contracts  made  for  the  East  Boston  Extension,  they  replied : 
That  they  had  made  contracts  with  the  South  Boston  t-on  Company,  for  2,500 
tons  of  iron  at  $42  per  ton ;  and  with  Coleman  and  Kilton,  of  Philadelphia, 
for  400  tons,  at  $41,  and  that  the  amount  of  contracts  thus  far  made  was  as 
follows : 

Iron  Pipes  as  above,  $123,500. 

Construction  of  the  Reservoir,    35,000,  with  James  and  Charles  Collins. 
Piles  and  Lumber,  17,511,     "     Eastman,  Roby  and  McEuesten. 

Lumber  for  Syphons,  500,     "     Wm.  Pope  &  Sons. 


Total,  $176,511 

It  having  been  voted  by  the  Committee  on  Water,  on  the  22d  January, 
that  the  three  syphons  should  be  constructed  and  put  down  by  workmen 
paid  by  the  day  for  their  services,  on  the  28th  Mr.  Charles  Emerson 
was  appointed  by  the  Water  Board,  Superintendent  of  the  construction  and 
the  placing  of  the  syphons. 

Simeon  Borden  was  appointed  by  the  State,  a  Commissioner  to  inspect 
the  construction  of  the  Water  Works  across  the  several  bridges,  as  provided 
for  in  the  Act. 


1850.J  127 

Several  petitions  having  been  received  by  the  City  Council  in  favor  of 
supplying  the  "  Colony "  belonging  to  the  ship  "  California  Packet "  with 
water  free  of  cost,  they  were  referred  to  the  Water  Board,  who  made  their 
Eeport,  February  19th,  in  which  they  say:  "that  it  would  be  inexpedient 
to  grant  the  request.  Without  doubting  that  in  the  present  instance  there 
are  good  reasons  why  the  petition  should  be  granted,  the  Board  believe  that 
such  a  precedent  would  afford  encouragement  to  many  others  to  ask  similar 
favors  which  not  only  would  become  very  troublesome,  but  would  diminish 
the  revenue  of  the  city. 

"  Such  objections  may  seem  rather  fanciful  than  real ;  but  a  very  slight 
practical  acquaintance  with  the  collection  of  water  rents  will  satisfy  any  one 
that  there  is  a  much  wider-spread  disposition  than  could  at  first  be  supposed, 
to  get  rid  of  paying  the  reasonable  and  low  rates  now  chai-ged." 

February  25th,  it  was  decided  to  fit  up  rooms  for  the  Water  Department 
in  the  City  Building  in  Court  Square,  at  the  corner  of  Williams'  Court,  and 
on  Saturday,  March  30th,  they  removed  to  the  new  rooms. 

March  12th,  contracts  were  made  with  the  following  parties  for  the  con- 
struction of  Charles  and  Mystic  River  Bridges  for  the  Aqueduct. 
Gould  &  Shackford,  of  East  Boston. 
Bixby  &  Cole,  "  " 

Mayor  &  Wentworth,     "  " 

Moses  Austin,  of  Salem. 

The  pile  work  on  Mystic  River  Bridge  was  commenced  April  1 8th. 

The  Committee  on  Water  were  instructed  by  the  City  Council  to  consider 
the  expediency  of  the  City's  taking  Insurance  Risks,  and  the  propriety  of 
supplying  those  buildings  insured  by  the  City  with  water  at  lower  rates. 
After  several  months'  consideration  the  Committee  reported  the  reference  of 
the  matter  to  the  next  City  Government. 

The  first  Water  Meters,  for  estimating  the  quantity  of  water  used,  were 
purchased  April  25th,  1850;  they  were  known  as  the  Hughes'  Meters,  but  as 
they  did  not  meet  the  expectation  of  the  Board,  their  use  was  discontinued. 

On  April  27th,  Mr.  Moses  Fiske  of  Natick  made  complaint  to  the  Board 
that  the  water  of  Dug  Pond  had  been  raised  four  feet  higher  than  the  City 
had  a  right  to  raise  it;  whereupon  notice  was  sent  to  Mr.  Richardson, 
requesting  him  to  explain  to  the  Board  what  rights  the  City  obtained  from 
Mr.  Knight,  which  he  did  on  the  29th,  stating  that  he  did  not  believe  that  Dug 
Pond  was  higher  than  the  old  water  line,  although  several  feet  higher  than  it 
had  been  for  a  great  many  years.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks,  he  stated 
that  the  Indians  are  said  to  have  been  the  first  to  drain  down  this  Pond ; 


128  [1850. 

about  thirty  years  ago  the  Framiughain  Manufacturing  Company  drew  it 
down,  and  in  order  to  fill  it  up  again  in  the  course  of  a  season,  bought  the 
following  rights  of  different  persons  to  enable  them  to  turn  Bacon's  Brook 
into  it,  viz : 

George  Whiting,   a 

Bacon,        >   for  ten  years. 

Haven,      3 

and  Moses  Fiske,  permanently. 

Afterwards,  Mr.  Knight  purchased  the  Haven  right  permanently,  and  the 
Bacon  right  for  eight  months  in  each  year,  beginning  the  first  of  October,  and 
ending  the  fii'st  of  June.  The  City  now  possess  all  the  rights  that  Mr.  Knight 
did;  and,  in  consequence  of  various  transfers  and  changes,  possess  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  Whiting  right,  —  at  least  it  has  been  so  nearly  extinguished, 
that  what  the  City  does  not  possess  will  not  be  likely  to  cause  any  trouble. 
During  the  month  of  May,  the  perpetual  right  of  Mr.  Bacon  was  purchased 
by  the  City  for  $200. 

A  contract  was  made  with  Mr.  Charles  Wooley  to  dredge  a  trench  for 
three  syphons  at  the  Draws  of  the  Warren  and  Chelsea  Bridges  for  two 
thousand  dollars ;  and  to  dredge  for  the  Pipe  across  Chelsea  Creek,  for  three 
thousand  dollars.  A  contract  was  also  made  with  Daniel  Crowley  for 
dredging  the  general  trenches  for  the  pipes,  and  replacing  the  earth  after  the 
pipes  were  laid,  at  the  following  prices  :  22  cents  per  cubic  yard  excavation,  and 
bulk-fitting  for  the  20-inch  pipe;  and  at  18  cents  for  the  16,  12,  and  6  inch 
pipe;  the  total  contract  amounted  to  about  four  thousand  dollars.  On 
Thursday,  June  13th,  the  first  syphon  was  put  in  place  at  Warren  Bridge,  the 
navigation  being  interrupted  but  twenty-eight  and  one-half  hours ;  the  depth 
and  span  of  the  syphon  will  be  found  in  Part  lY.,  Chapter  HI. 

Several  Petitions  having  been  sent  to  the  City  Council  for  the  establishment 
of  Drinking  Hydrants  in  the  Public  Streets,  they  were  referred  to  the  Water 
Board,  who  decided,  July  5th,  that  it  was  inexpedient,  for  the  following 
reasons : 

"  1st.  They  are  liable  to  get  out  of  order,  and  thus  prove  a  source  of  fre- 
quent expense. 

"  2d.  They  often  prove  a  nuisance  to  passers  by,  in  consequence  of  boys 
collecting  around  them,  and  throwing  water  about ;  and  in  consequence  of  the 
mud  and  dirt,  which  it  is  almost  impossible  to  prevent  from  collecting  about 
them. 

"  3d.  They  necessarily  cause  a  great  waste  of  water. 

"  4th.  They  are,  in  many  situations,  injurious  to  the  revenue,  by  furnishing 


1850.]  129 

water  free  of  expense  to  persons  residing  or  doing  business  in  the  vicinity, 
who  would,  otherwise,  be  willing  to  pay  for  it. 

"  5th.  They  are  dangerous,  in  consequence  of  the  accumulation  of  ice  around 
them  in  the  winter  season." 

Before  coming  to  their  decision,  however,  they  wrote  to  the  Superintendents 
of  the  Water  Works  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  asking  for  their  experi- 
ence, both  of  whom  replied  that  they  had  discontinued  the  erection  of  them, 
and  were  removing  the  old  ones  as  fast  as  they  got  out  of  order ;  that  they 
were  a  public  nuisance,  rather  than  a  benefit,  and  were  also  a  great  source  of 
waste. 

Mr,  Vannevar,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Lake,  having  reported  that  he  was 
much  annoyed  by  persons  putting  boats  on  the  lake,  and  letting  them  to  various 
parties ;  Mr.  Richardson  was  notified  that  the  Board  were  anxious  to  get  rid 
of  the  boats,  and  requested  him  to  have  the  evil  remedied  in  the  most  peace- 
able way  that  he  could. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  the  Mayor  requested  that  the  Fountains  in  the  Squares 
on  the  Neck  should  be  allowed  to  play  all  day,  and  that  the  Superintendent 
of  Lands  be  notified  to  that  effect ;  the  Board,  however,  voted  it  was  inexpe- 
dient to  let  them  play  more  than  four  hours  a  day,  as  they  do  at  present,  and 
that  the  control  of  them  ought  not  to  pass  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Board,  as 
they  are  the  best  judges  of  how  much  water  can  be  spared,  and  when. 

El  the  Report  of  the  Board  to  the  Water  Committee,  July  16th,  they  say: 
"  Agents  of  several  religious  and  other  Societies  of  this  City  have  asked  per- 
mission to  use  a  grove  belonging  to  the  City,  near  the  Lake,  for  picnic  par- 
ties ;  two  or  three  such  parties  have  already  been  allowed  to  go  there,  and 
others  are  applying  daily.  The  Board  see  no  objection  to  granting  such  per- 
mission, and  shall  continue  to  do  it,  unless  otherwise  directed  by  the  Com- 
mittee." 

The  free  use  of  this  grove  was  granted  for  several  years,  but  was  finally 
discontinued  on  account  of  the  injury  to  the  premises,  which  resulted  from  such 
use. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  after  considerable  discussion,  it  was  decided  to  cross 
Chelsea  Creek  by  means  of  several  jointed  pipes.  At  the  point  of  crossing,  on 
the  Chelsea  side,  a  water  lot  of  one  hundred  feet  frontage,  was  purchased  of 
Mr.  Ober,  for  the  sum  of  $3,000 ;  and  on  the  East  Boston  side,  one  of  fifty 
feet  front  was  purchased  of  the  East  Boston  Company,  for  the  sum  of  $1,750. 
The  pipes  were  completed  and  lowered  into  the  trench  on  Thursday,  Novem- 
ber 14th. 

On  the  30th  of  July,  the  Brackett  claim  for  the  loss  of  water,  occasioned  by 

17 


130  [1850. 

the  construction  of  the  Newton  tunnel,  came  before  the  Commissioners  to 
whom  the  question  of  damages  was  referred.  The  question  being  asked  tlie 
Water  Board,  if  the  City  would  guarantee  a  constant  supply  of  water  to  the 
Brackett  Place  through  the  Newton  Aqueduct,  they  requested  time  to 
consider  before  giving  their  reply,  which  was  granted ;  and  on  the  24th  of 
August,  they  decided  that  the  City  would  only  agree  to  keep  the  Aqueduct  in 
repair,  but  would  not  guarantee  a  supply  of  water.  According  to  the  above 
decision,  a  special  guarantee  was  made,  and  accepted  on  the  20th  of  December, 
by  the  City  to  Ann,  Clarissa  and  Hannah  Brackett,  that  the  agreement  between 
the  Newton  Aqueduct  Company,  and  the  said  Bracketts  and  others  should  be 
faithfully  kept  and  performed. 

During  the  month  of  August,  application  was  made  by  the  United  States 
authorities  for  the  use  of  the  Cochituate  water  in  the  Navy  Yard.  This 
application  was  referred  to  the  Board,  who  reported  that  the  request  be 
granted,  on  the  condition  that  the  expense  of  the  pipes  from  the  main  into  and 
through  the  yard  be  paid  by  the  United  States,  and  that  in  the  event  of  a 
scarcity  of  water,  the  City  have  the  right  to  shut  oif  the  supply. 

These  conditions  being  agreed  to  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S.  authorities,  the 
pipes  were  laid  and  the  water  was  let  on.  The  Navy  Yard  was  furnished 
with  the  Cochituate  Water  until  the  year  1865,  when  the  Mystic  Water 
Board  connected  their  pipes  with  those  in  the  yard,  and  the  Cochituate  pipe 
was  disconnected. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  it  was  voted  to  put  an  Iron  Lantern,  with  a  Tablet, 
over  the  staircase  leading  to  the  top  of  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir. 

At  the  same  date,  there  was  an  application  from  the  proprietors  of  the 
Boston  Evening  Traveller  for  the  use  of  the  water  for  running  an  hydraulic 
engine,  with  an  offer  to  pay  for  the  same  the  sum  of  one  cent  per  hundred 
gallons.  After  considerable  discussion,  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  offer  for 
one  year.  The  use  of  the  water  for  this  purpose  was  continued  until 
December,  1855,  when  the  use  of  this  engine  was  given  up. 

During  the  year,  the  Water  Tariff  caused  considerable  discussion  in  both 
branches  of  the  City  Council,  and  was  finally  referred  to  a  Committee  of 
Conference,  who  reported  a  tariff,  which  was  adopted  on  the  1 8th  of  November, 
1850. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  was  made  to  the  City  Council,  December 
10th,  in  which  they  gave  a  full  account  of  their  receipts  and  expenditures. 

In  speaking  of  the  Conduit  they  say :  "  Several  portions  of  the  Aqueduct 
were  built  on  puddled  embankment.     Though  a  very  economical  mode  of 


1850.]  131 

construction,  it  was  looked  upon  as  somewhat  of  an  experiment;  but  tlie 
result  shows  that  where  these  embankments  were  made  of  sand  and  gravel, 
the  Aqueduct  has  already  come  to  a  firm  bearing,  and  has  given  very  little 
trouble  with  regard  to  repairs ;  where  the  Aqueduct  was  built  upon  puddled 
clay,  the  result  has  not  been  so  satisfactory ;  but  even  in  the  latter  cases,  it 
has  not  been  necessary  to  make  any  repairs,  during  the  year,  except  in  one 
place,  and  for  that  the  amount  expended  was  very  small." 

They  estimate  the  waste  of  water  at  the  Lake  as  a  little  over  an  average 
of  15,000,000  wine  gallons  per  day,  and  that  the  Lake  might  have  supplied 
an  average  of  20,000,000  gallons  per  day  during  the  past  season,  could  it 
all  have  been  saved. 


January  6th,  1851,  after  their  term  of  office  had  expired,  the  Commis- 
sioners sent  a  Communication  to  the  New  Board,  giving  a  full  statement  of 
the  condition  of  the  Works.     It  was  classified  under  the  following  heads. 

Unfinished  Work,  which  referred  to  the  extension  of  the  works  to  East 
Boston. 

Officers  employed,  giving  the  name,  position  and  salary  of  each. 

Taxes,  stating  that  they  were  unjust,  and  that  they  had  been  paid  under 
protest,  with  the  exception  of  the  Wayland  tax  bill,  which  had  not  been  paid, 
"  because  it  has  been  thought  best  not  only  to  deny  the  right,  but  to  resist  at 
once  the  enforcement  of  any  claim  for  taxes  upon  structures  belonging  to  the 
City,  and  necessary  for  the  proper  use  of  the  Water  Works." 

Eegulation  op  Heights,  and  Discharges  of  Water,  on  which  they  say : 
<'  As  the  Water  Act  allows  the  City  to  flow  the  Lake  to  a  height  of  but  eight 
feet  (subsequently,  by  an  addititional  Act,  raised  to  ten  feet)  above  Knight's 
Flume,  it  is  necessary  to  keep  its  surface,  in  most  seasons  of  the  year,  from 
one  to  two  feet  below  this  level,  in  order  to  provide  against  freshets,  which 
coming  suddenly,  sometimes  raise  the  height  of  the  Lake  two  feet  in  one  or 
two  days,  notwithstanding  all  the  means  of  keeping  it  down  may  be  used  to 
their  utmost  extent.  If  the  City  owned  the  fee  of  the  margin  entirely  around 
the  Lake,  it  would  not  be  necessary  to  be  so  careful  about  this. 

"Efforts  have  been  made  to  obtain  the  fee,  in  every  settlement;  and  with 
only  three  exceptions,  in  the  case  of  private  individuals,  it  has  been  secured 
entirely  around  the  Lake ;  in  these  three,  it  may  be  obtained,  but  at  enormous 
rates." 

They  say,  of  Fountains,  "  it  is  very  evident,  that  the  time  is  fast  coming 


132  [1850. 

when  all  these  must  be  played  much  more  sparingly ;  and  for  this  reason 
permission  to  establish  new  Fountains  should  be  withheld." 

They  notice  the  extravagant  Waste  of  Water  in  the  City,  and  remark 
that  every  means  should  be  used  to  prevent  it. 

No  Public  Hydrants,  with  the  exception  of  those  on  the  Common,  had  yet 
been  established. 

They  state  that  "  a  great  many  tracts  of  Land  have  been  purchased, 
and  damages  to  other  tracts  paid  for  by  the  City,  on  account  of  the  Water 
Works.  Plans  and  descriptions  of  these  lands,  as  well  as  the  conditions 
on  which  they  are  held,  should  be  so  arranged  and  kept,  as  to  be  easy 
of  access,  and  readily  referred  to.  As  the  settlements  are  not  all  completed, 
it  has  been  impossible  to  finish  such  an  arrangement ;  but  a  great  deal  has 
been  done  towards  it.  "     They  give  a  list  of  the  unsettled  claims. 

Use  of  Water,  as  a  Motive  Power,  they  speak  of  in  connection  with  the 
application  of  the  Evening  Traveller,  before  referred  to,  saying:  ''That  it 
would  not  be  advisable  to  encourage  an  increase  of  this  kind  of  Motive  Power, 
under  existing  circumstances. " 

They  recommend  the  more  thorough  draining  of  the  meadows,  through 
which  the  streams  pass  that  flow  into  the  Lake.  After  stating  that  it  was  by 
no  means  impossible,  or  even  improbable,  that  the  time  would  arrive,  when 
more  water  would  be  required,  they  mention  the  following  as  the  sources 
from  which  such  an  additional  supply  could  be  obtained ;  First,  "  The  most 
natural  and  easy  one  would  be  to  turn  Sudbury  River  into  the  Lake ;  but  this 
would  involve  the  City  in  vexatious  lawsuits  with  the  mill  owners  below, 
and  with  the  Middlesex  Canal  Company.  The  Second  would  be  to  raise 
the  Lake  several  feet  higher,  (which  has  since  been  done,)  and  thus  increase 
its  capacity  as  a  Reservoir.  Third,  to  purchase  the  outlet  to  Nonesuch 
Pond,  in  Weston;  and  the  immediate  valley  of  the  stream  between  the 
outlet  and  the  Aqueduct," 

They  then  give  general  information,  under  the  following  heads :  Stone 
Reservoir,  Pipes,  Personal  Property  and  Repairs. 

One  of  the  most  important  subjects  that  occupied  the  attention  of  the  City 
Council,  Water  Committee  and  Water  Board,  was  the  best  method  of  supply- 
ing the  shipping  with  water. 

The  Commissioners,  believing  it  to  be  for  the  best  interest  of  the  City 
to  have  the  entire  control  and  management  of  this  source  of  income, 
appointed  Capt.  Alden  Giflford,  Superintendent  of  Shipping  for  one  year; 
whose  duty  it  was  to  take  the  entire  charge  of  this  department ;  but  the  City 


1850.]  133 

Council  thought  it  was  best  to  let  it  out  by  contract,  and  directed  the  "Water 
Registrar  to  advertise  for  proposals  for  supplying  the  shipping  for  two  years ; 
in  answer  to  which,  only  two  bids  were  received,  both  of  which  were  for  less 
than  half  the  sum  the  Water  Board  considered  it  worth,  and  a  communication 
to  that  effect  was  sent  to  the  City  Council.  February  26th,  Mr.  T.  B.  Curtis, 
one  of  the  late  Commissioners,  sent  a  letter  to  the  Water  Board,  in  which, 
after  stating  the  number  of  vessels  that  clear  from  this  Port  in  the  course  of 
a  year,  the  average  number  of  gallons  of  water  required  by  each,  and  the 
price  formerly  paid  by  vessels  for  water,  62^  to  75  cents  per  hhd.,  he  says : 
"  During  the  past  year,  I  gave  this  branch  as  much  attention  as  my  engage- 
ments officially  permitted,  and  the  result  was  a  conviction,  that  with  judicious 
management,  and  a  firm  administration  of  the  supply,  an  income  of  at  least 
$10,000  might  be  secured  in  aid  of  the  water  fund,  while  the  Merchant  and 
Ship  Owner  should  be  charged  only  one-third  of  the  rates  which  were 
demanded  a  year  ago.  It  is  well  known  that  since  1845,  the  period 
alluded  to  in  my  calculation,  there  is  a  large  increase  in  the  size  of  ships; 
and  that  many  more  are  now  employed  as  'passenger  vessels'  than  formerly. 

"  My  estimates,  in  round  numbers,  are  for  foreign  and  domestic  clearances, 
7,000  vessels,  the  number  in  1845,  taking  ten  casks  each  at  25  cents  per  cask, 
equal  to  $17,000. 

Expenses.  —  Overseer,  say  $1,500.       Income.  —  $17,000. 

Six  men,  at  $1.25  per  day,   2,250. 

Two  boats  and  four  men,     1,600. 

5,350. 


Net,  $11,650. 

"  Apart  from  the  pecuniary  advantage  to  enure  to  the  City  from  keeping 
this  business  within  its  own  control,  will  be  that  of  knowing  what  the  supply 
is  worth,  and  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  to  whom  to  look  for  reparation, 
should  waste  or  injury  to  the  Hydrants  occur.  The  nature  of  the  apparatus 
demands  that  a  vigorous  supervision  should  be  exercised  over  all  who  are 
permitted  to  approach  or  handle  it ;  for  if  the  Hydrants  are  carelessly  left  to 
run,  as  is  the  case  in  some  places,  the  '  third  pipe  '  for  the  supply  of  the  City, 
will  be  required  some  time  sooner  than  has  yet  been  anticipated." 

The  City  Council  decided  to  accept  the  offer  of  H.  H.  W.  Stimson  and 
others,  and  directed  the  Water  Board  to  make  a  contract  with  them  for  sup- 
plying the  shipping  for  two  years  from  the  fifteenth  day  of  May ;  and  to  notify 
Capt.  Gifford  that  his  services  would  not  be  required  after  that  date.  Capt. 
Gifford,  however,  took  another  view  of  the  question,  and  sent  a  letter  to  the 


134  [1850. 

Board,  on  April  15th,  in  which  he  refused  to  give  up  his  office,  on  the  ground 
that  he  had  been  employed  by  the  Commissioners  for  one  year,  from  January 
2d,  1850. 

The  parties  to  whom  the  contract  was  awarded,  commenced  to  supply  the 
shipping  by  order  of  the  Board,  and  Capt.  Giflford  sent  to  the  Board,  that 
according  to  his  instructions,  he  gave  them  notice  that  the  said  parties  were 
opening  the  Hydrants  and  supplying  vessels  in  opposition,  and  to  the  damage 
of  the  City;  whereupon,  the  Board  ordered  him  ( Capt.  GifFord)  to  discontinue 
at  once  the  supply  of  vessels  with  water.  No  notice,  however,  was  taken  of 
the  order,  and  both  parties  continued  to  supply  until  about  the  middle  of 
June,  when  the  Captain  gave  up,  but  put  in  a  claim  for  his  salary  for  the 
whole  year,  which  he  afterwards  obtained  in  full. 

The  contract  referred  to  was  made  with  H.  H.  W.  Stimson,  Charles  Smith, 
Gustavus  Peterson,  Elijah  Gould,  Charles  Watson,  Paul  Knowles,  J.  E. 
Jameson,  and  Frederica  Butler,  the  last  two  named  being  widows.  It  pro- 
vided that  they  should  have  the  exclusive  use  of  the  Cochituate  Water  for  the 
term  of  two  years,  from  May  15th,  1850,  for  the  supply  of  the  shipping  for 
the  district  of  Boston  and  Charlestown,  exclusive  of  steamboats,  the  said 
parties  paying  to  the  City  the  sum  of  two  thousand  and  twelve  dollars  per 
year,  in  equal  monthly  payments. 

They  were  to  take  the  water  from  such  Hydrants  as  were  agreed  upon  by 
the  Water  Board,  and  to  charge  for  the  same  a  sum  not  exceeding  twenty-five 
cents  per  hogshead ;  but  when  the  water  boats  had  to  be  used,  they  could 
charge  a  sum  not  exceeding  thirty-seven  and  one-half  cents  per  hogshead; 
they  were  to  keep  books,  containing  a  record  of  all  sales  made,  which  were 
to  be  open  at  all  times  to  the  inspection  of  the  Board.  It  was  also  provided, 
that  if  they  used  the  water  for  any  other  purposes,  or  neglected  to  perform 
or  keep  either  of  the  agreements  mentioned,  the  City  reserved  the  right  to 
vacate  and  end  its  agreement  by  giving  thirty  days'  notice,  in  writing,  signed 
by  the  Mayor. 

The  Ordinance  providing  for  the  care  and  management  of  the  Boston  Water 
Works,  from  Jan.  1st,  1851,  was  passed  October  31st,  1850. 

Section  1,  provides  that  there  shall  be  chosen  annually  by  the  City  Council, 
one  Alderman,  one  Member  of  the  Common  Council,  and  five  Citizens  at  large 
to  constitute  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  who  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
they  are  removed ;  no  person  shall  be  chosen  for  more  than  five  consecutive 
years. 

Section  2,  provides  that  these  persons  shall  organize  themselves  by  the 


1850.]  135 

choice  of  a  President,  and  a  Clerk ;  with  such  rules  as  they  may  deem  expe- 
dient for  their  government,  and  for  that  of  subordinate  ofl&cers. 

Section  3,  provides  that  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall  exercise  all 
power  granted  by  the  Act  for  supplying  the  City  of  Boston  with  pure  Water, 
passed  March  30th,  1846;  and  shall  have  power  to  appoint  all  necessary 
subordinate  assistants. 

Section  4,  provides  that  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall,  by  the  fifteenth 
day  of  January  annually,  present  to  the  City  Council  a  full  Report  of  all  their 
proceedings  connected  with  the  Water  Works ;  and  at  the  same  time  there 
shall  be  presented  the  Reports  of  the  City  Engineer,  and  Water  Registrar 
respectively. 

Section  5,  provides  that  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall,  whenever 
requested  by  the  City  Council,  furnish  a  Schedule  of  Water  Rates. 

Section  6,  provides  that  the  Water  Board  shall  have  power  to  sell  or  lease 
the  property  connected  with  the  Water  Works,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Mayor  and  Aldermen. 

Section  7,  provides  that  all  bills  shall  be  drawn  for  by  the  President;  exam- 
ined by  the  Auditor,  and  approved  by  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  before 
being  paid  by  the  Treasurer. 

Section  8,  provides  that  the  President  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall 
exercise  a  general  supervision  over  all  affairs  connected  with  the  Water  Works ; 
in  case  of  his  absence,  his  duties  may  be  performed  by  a  President  pro 
tempore. 

Section  9,  provides  that  there  shall  be  chosen  annually  in  September  or 
October,  and  whenever  a  vacancy  occurs,  a  City  Engineer. 

Section  10,  provides  that  the  City  Engineer  shall  take  such  charge  of  Lake 
Cochituate,  its  lands,  Aqueducts,  Reservoirs  and  other  property,  as  the  Water 
Board  or  City  Council  shall  direct. 

Sections  11,  12  and  13,  also  provide  for  the  duties  of  the  City  Engineer. 

Sections  14, 15  and  16,  provide  for  the  choice  of  a  Water  Registrar,  and  his 
duties. 

Section  1 7,  provides  that  the  Water  Rents  shall  be  payable  in  advance  on 
the  first  day  of  January,  annually. 

Section  18,  provides  that  in  case  of  non-payment  of  Water  Rent,  the  supply 
of  water  shall  be  cut  off. 

Sections  19  and  20,  provide  for  further  power  and  duties  of  the  Water 
Registrar. 

Section  21,  provides  that  no  member  of  the  Water  Board  shall  be  interested 
in  any  contract  in  connection  with  the  Water  Works. 


136  [1850. 

Sections  22,  23,  24  and  25,  provide  for  penalties,  in  case  of  opening 
Hydrants,  Pipes,  or  Reservoirs,  turning  off  the  water,  or  injuring  any  public 
Reservoir. 

Section  26,  provides  that  the  water  shall  not  be  sold  to  parties  out  of  the 
City. 

Section  27,  provides  for  the  Regulations  under  which  the  water  shall  be 
taken. 

Section  28,  provides  that  this  Ordinance  shall  take  effect  on  and  after 
January  1st,  1851. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year,  the  City  Council  received  a  Petition  from  the 
Children's  Friend  Society,  asking  for  the  use  of  water  without  charge,  which 
was  referred  to  the  City  Solicitor,  for  his  written  opinion,  as  to  the  power  of 
the  City  to  grant  the  request.  In  his  reply,  City  Document  No.  13, 1850,  he 
says :  "  The  City  Council  are  the  agents  and  trustees  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Boston,  with  a  limited  authority ;  they  can  perform  no  act  in  the  execution  of 
their  trust  unless  warranted  by  some  general  or  special  law  of  the  Common- 
wealth, either  by  express  terms,  or  by  reasonable  inference.  These  general 
principles  are  decisive  on  the  question  now  proposed. 

"  If  in  the  general  view  of  the  subject,  the  water  is  to  be  regarded  as  valuable 
property,  the  City  Council  have  no  more  right  to  give  it  away,  than  they  have 
the  right  to  make  a  donation  of  the  City  lands,  or  of  the  money  in  the  City 
Treasury If  the  City  Council  may  give  the  water  to  one  institu- 
tion of  this  kind,  they  may  to  all.  If  they  may  give  it  to  a  charitable 
institution,  they  may  to  an  individual.  If  they  may  give  it  to  a  poor  corpora- 
tion, they  may  to  a  poor  man.  If  they  may  give  it  to  an  institution  which  is 
doing  great  good  in  the  community  and  on  this  account,  they  may  give  it  to  a 
good  man.  In  short,  the  same  reasoning  would  authorize  the  City  Council 
to  vote  the  water  free  at  once,  and  thus  take  from  the  scrip  holders  the  fund 
which  is  expressly  set  aside  and  pledged  by  law  for  their  security.  "  (City 
Documents  on  subject  of  water  for  year  1850,  Nos.  3^,  7,  13,  29,  32,  32 J,  41, 
45,  51.) 


1851.] 


CHAPTERXVI. 

1851. 

Water  let  into  East  Boston  Eeservoir  —  First  Cochituate  Water  Board  under  its  present 
organization  —  Kooms  for  the  Board  —  Purchase  of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  and  the 
difficulties  attending  the  same  —  Reorganization  of  the  Fire  Department  —  Waste  of 
Water  —  Election  of  Superintendent  —  Use  of  the  arches  under  the  Beacon  IIiU. 
Eeservoir  —  Use  of  the  Water  granted  to  the  McLean  Asylum  and  State  Prison  — 
Election  of  Service  Clerk  —  Vote  passed  to  close  the  Construction  Account  —  Pipe 
for  supplying  the  Fountain  in  Lowell  Square  —  Water  Meters  for  Brookline  Reservoir 
—  Fountains  allowed  to  play  for  certain  hours  —  Subject  of  carrying  the  Water  to 
Deer  Island  —  Election  of  the  Members  of  the  Board  —  Free  use  of  Water  for  Foun- 
tains—  Complaints  of  a  bad  taste  to  the  Water  —  Refunding  money  once  paid  —  Large 
stop-cock  out  of  order  —  Leak  in  East  Boston  Reservoir  —  Hyde  Place  ordered  sold  — 
Temporary  Lead  Pipe  taken  up  —  Appropriation  to  meet  excess  of  interest  over 
receipts  —  Annual  Report  —  Supply  of  the  High  Service. 

Water  was  let  into  the  East  Boston  Reservoir,  for  the  first  time,  on  the 
morning  of  January  1st,  1851,  in  the  presence  of  the  City  Council,  and 
invited  guests,  who  afterwards,  on  invitation  of  the  East  Boston  Company, 
partook  of  a  collation  at  the  Maverick  House. 


The  First  Cochituate  Water  Board  elected  under  its  present  organi- 
zation, and  according  to  the  Ordinance  in  the  preceding  Chapter,  were : 


Messrs.  Henry  B.  Rogers, 
"       James  W.  Sever, 
"       Jonathan  Preston, 


Messrs.  Thomas  Wetmore, 
"      John  H.  Wilkins, 
"       Samuel  A.  Eliot, 


John  T.  Heard, 

Their  first  meeting  for  organization  was  held  on  January  2d;  at  which 

meeting,  Thomas  Wetmore  was  chosen  President,  and  Samuel  Holbrook,  Clerk. 

At  the  same  time,  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Sever,  were 

chosen  to  consider  and  Report  what  Officers  it  would  be  necessary  to  appoint, 

18 


138  [1851. 

and  what  should  be  their  compensation,  and  also  such  code  of  Rules  and 
By-laws  as  they  may  deem  proper  to  facilitate  the  proceedings  of  the  Board. 

On  the  27th,  a  Memorial  was  received  from  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct 
Company,  asking  for  a  hearing  in  regard  to  the  sale  of  their  property  to  the 
City,  and  also  in  relation  to  the  damages ;  which  hearing  was  gi'anted  on 
March  26th.  Charles  Amory,  Esq.,  appeared  in  behalf  of  the  Corporation, 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  on  April  2d,  when  it  was  voted  to  offer  to  the 
Corporation  the  sum  of  $45,000  for  their  property,  including  all  claims  for 
damages.  This  oifer  was  accepted  by  the  Corporation  on  April  30th,  but 
before  the  papers  were  prepared,  the  City  Council  passed  the  following  vote : 
"  Ordered,  that  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Water  be  directed  to 
consider,  and  report  as  soon  as  practicable,  whether  the  Water  Board,  as 
at  present  constituted,  has  the  authority  to  purchase  the  property  and  fran- 
chise of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  Company,  and  whether  such  purchase 
by  that  Board  would  be  legally  binding  on  the  City;  and  that  said  Committee 
have  leave  to  consult  the  City  Solicitor  concerning  the  same.  Also  to  con- 
sider, and  report  whether  it  is  expedient  for  the  City  to  purchase  the 
property  and  franchise,  or  either  of  them,  of  said  Aqueduct  Company." 

After  this  vote  was  passed,  and  before  the  Committee  made  their  report, 
the  President  of  the  Board  sent  a  letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  in 
which  he  says :  "  The  attention  of  the  Water  Board  has  been  called  to  the 
action  of  the  City  Council  on  the  subject  of  the  agreement  made  by  the  Board 
for  the  purchase  of  the  franchise  and  properties  of  the  '■  Aqueduct  Corpora- 
tion.' It  was  the  intention  of  the  Board  to  report  hereafter  to  the  Council, 
all  the  facts  relating  to  the  purchase,  and  their  reasons  for  making  it,  when  it 
should  be  finally  completed.  The  action  of  the  City  Council,  however,  as 
it  seems  not  only  to  question  the  expediency  of  making  such  a  purchase,  but 
also  to  deny  the  right  and  power  of  the  Water  Board  to  do  it,  makes  it  neces- 
sary for  the  Board  to  anticipate  the  time  intended  for  giving  the  City  Council 
the  requisite  information  on  the  subject ;  and  the  Board  have  now  directed  me 
to  make  a  statement  of  the  facts  relating  to  the  purchase  of  the  Aqueduct 
property,  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Council  on  Water. 

"  With  regard  to  the  powers  of  the  Water  Board,  it  never  occurred  to  them 
that  any  doubt  on  the  subject  could  be  entertained.  "By  the  sixteenth  section 
of  the  Water  Act,  the  power  is  expressly  given  to  the  City,  and  by  the  fifth 
section,  it  is  provided  that  all  the  powers  given  to  the  City  by  the  Act  sliall 
be  exercised  by  such  agents  as  the  City  Council  shall  appoint ;  and  the  City 
Council,  accordingly,  by  the  Ordinance  establishing  the  Water  Board,  having 
expressly  vested  all  the  powers  which  it  derived  from  the  Act,  which  could  be 


1851.]  139 

legally  delegated,  in  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  it  seems  most  manifest  that 
the  Board  are  the  agents  appointed  by  the  City,  with  all  the  powers  which  the 
City  has  over  the  subject," 

He  then  states  that  an  offer  for  a  much  larger  amount  had  been  recom- 
mended by  the  Water  Commissioners,  which  had  passed  one  branch  of  the 
City  Council :  he  also  gives  in  detail  the  many  advantages  to  be  obtained  by 
the  purchase,  and  says  that  on  account  of  these  advantages  they  determined 
to  offer  to  the  Aqueduct  Company,  forty-five  thousand  dollars,  for  the  convey- 
ance of  their  franchise  and  all  their  properties,  except  a  lot  of  land  in  the 
first  named  City,  in  Boston  and  Rosbury,  and  a  release  of  the  City  from  all 
claim  for  damages.  The  offer  has  been  accepted,  and  the  Board  were  pre- 
pared to  draw  on  the  City  Treasury  for  the  amount  of  money  required,  so 
soon  as  the  proper  conveyance  could  be  prepared  by  the  City  Solicitor.  The 
action  of  the  City  Council  will,  however,  prevent  their  doing  this,  and  the  final 
transfer  must  be  postponed.  In  the  mean  time,  he  would  suggest  that  if  the 
Board  have  the  power  to  purchase  this  property,  the  Aqueduct  Corporation 
will  have  a  fair  claim  for  interest  on  the  amount  agreed  to  be  paid. 

He  states,  in  conclusion,  that  the  Water  Board  have  merely  had  regard 
to  what  they  believed  the  real  interests  of  the  City  in  this  transaction; 
that  they  have  not  doubted  their  power,  nor  have  imagined  that  the  result  of 
their  action  would  not  meet  the  hearty  concurrence  of  the  City  Council. 

Soon  after  the  receipt  of  this  communication,  the  Committee  made  their 
report,  as  follows :  "that  on  examination  of  the  Ordinance  of  October  31st, 
1850,  establishing  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  and  the  Act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, authorizing  the  City  of  Boston  to  bring  the  Waters  of  Long  Pond  into 
the  City,  they  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  the  Cochituate  Water 
Board  had  the  power  to  purchase  for  the  City  all  the  property,  estates  and 
privileges  of  the  Aqueduct  Corporation.  It  will  be  seen  from  the  communi- 
cation of  the  President  of  the  Water  Board,  that  such  purchase  had  been 
made  prior  to  the  introduction  of  the  Order  by  which  the  subject  was  referred 
to  this  Committee,  and,  therefore,  the  Committee  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to 
enter  into  the  expediency  of  this  act  on  the  part  of  the  Water  Board,  as 
the  City  Council  have  made  the  Board  the  agents  of  the  City  for  this  among 
other  purposes,  and  the  purchase  having  been  made,  it  is,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee,  legally  binding  upon  the  City. 

"  Nor  do  the  Committee  doubt  that  the  Board  honestly  adopted  a  course 
which  they  consider  for  the  best  interests  of  the  City.  They,  however,  think 
this  a  proper  occasion  to  remark,  that,  in  their  judgment  it  is  desirable  to 
consult  the  City  Council  in  all  large  operations  of  this  description ;  and  the 


140  [1851. 

Ordinance  giving  tliem  the  power  under  which  they  act  seems  to  contemplate 
this,  in  the  provision  that  a  member  of  each  branch  of  the  City  Council  shall 
be  a  member  of  the  Water  Board,  and  also  by  the  third  section  of  the 
Ordinance  before  referred  to,  which  provides  that  all  the  powers  given  to  the 
Water  Board  shall  be  subject  to  the  regulations,  orders  and  ordinances  of  the 
City  Council ;  and  the  Committee  firmly  believe  that  such  was  the  expectation 
of  the  City  Council  when  the  Ordinance  was  created,  under  which  the  Water 
Board  have  acted  in  making  the  purchase  to  which  the  order  of  the  12th  of 
May  referred." 

On  June  12th,  the  Board  sent  another  Communication  to  the  City  Council, 
from  which  we  make  the  following  extract :  "  The  Cochituate  Water  Board 
beg  leave  to  report  to  the  City  Council  that  they  have  completed  the 
purchase  of  the  property  of  the  Aqueduct  Corporation,  by  accepting,  on  behalf 
of  the  City,  conveyances  of  the  same,  prepared  under  the  direction  of  the 
City  Solicitor ;  and  the  President  has  given  a  draft  on  the  City  Treasurer  for 
the  consideration  stipulated  to  be  paid,  amounting,  with  the  interest,  to  forty- 
five  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventeen  dollars  and  fifty  cents  ($45,217.50). 
The  business  has  been  thus  closed  before  the  final  action  of  the  City  Council, 
on  the  subject  of  the  powers  of  the  Board,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Mayor,  to 
relieve  the  City  from  any  further  pa5anent  of  interest. 

The  conveyances  which  the  Water  Board  now  submit  to  the  Council 
consist  of — 

A  deed  of  all  the  property,  estate,  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Corporation, 
and  all  debts  due  to  it  since  April  30th,  last,  and  a  release  to  the  City  of  all 
claims. 

A  bond,  in  the  penal  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  to  save  the  City  against 
all  claims  to  the  30th  of  April,  1850;  an  agreement  signed  by  Thomas  A. 
Dexter,  and  Edward  A.  Dexter,  to  whom  all  the  shares  of  the  Corporation 
have  been  assigned  as  Trustees  of  the  City,  without  compensation  to  transfer 
the  shares  on  demand  of  the  Mayor  or  President  of  the  Water  Board,  at  any 
time  within  three  years. 

In  the  same  communication,  they  ask  that  an  ordinance  may  be  passed  for 
the  management  of  the  works ;  whereupon  an  additional  Ordinance  was 
passed  putting  the  works  under  the  management  of  the  Cochituate  Water 
Board. 


On  account  of  the  introduction  of  the   Water,  it  became  necessary  to 
reorganize  the  Fire  Department  of  the  City ;  and  a  Joint  Special  Committee 


1851.]  141 

of  the  City  Council  was  chosen  to  consider  and  report;  the  persons  chosen 
on  this  Committee  were,  Messrs.  Henry  B.  Rogers,  Henry  M.  Holbrook, 
Benjamin  Smith,  Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Albert  T.  Minot,  James  W.  Sever, 
Richard  Shackford  and  Charles  H.  Stearns,  two  being  members  of  the  Water 
Board. 

Their  Report,  which  was  made  to  the  City  Council,  covering  with  the 
Ordinance  28  pages,  was  a  very  interesting  one,  and  contained  a  great 
deal  of  information.     See  City  Document  No.  32,  for  the  year  1851. 

In  February,  the  waste  of  water  had  increased  to  such  an  extent,  the 
President  was  authorized  to  prepare  a  communication  to  the  citizens  on  the 
subject,  and  have  the  same  printed  and  distributed. 

During  the  same  month,  J.  Wadleigh  was  elected  Superintendent  of  City 
Reservoirs  and  Fountains,  and  Albert  Stanwood,  Superintendent  of  the  Iron 
Pipes  and  Pipe  Yard,  Leave  was  also  granted  for  the  City  to  use  the  arches 
under  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  for  an  Engine  and  Hydrant  Company,  on 
the  condition  that  the  City  would  pay  rent  for  the  same. 

During  the  month  of  March,  a  petition  from  the  McLean  Asylum  for  the 
Insane,  in  Somerville,  and  also  one  from  the  Inspectors  of  the  Massachusetts 
State  Prison  in  Charlestown,  were  received,  asking  that  they  might  be  sup- 
plied with  the  water.  This  was  granted,  April  23d,  with  a  special  agreement 
that  it  could  be  discontinued  at  any  time.  The  connection,  however,  with  the 
City  pipes  was  not  made  until  the  following  November.  They  continued 
to  draw  their  supply  from  this  source  until  the  year  1865,  when  the  pipe  was 
disconnected.  March  19th,  Mr.  Samuel  N.  Dyer  was  elected  Service  Clerk  j 
and  March  26th,  the  Board  voted  that  the  construction  account  should  be 
closed  the  30th  of  April,  1852. 

On  April  2d,  application  having  been  made  to  have  the  pipe  laid  for  a 
Fountain  in  Lowell  Square,  it  was  voted :  "  That  the  President  have  power,  at 
his  discretion,  to  lay  pipes  from  the  main  to  the  Fountain,  at  the  expense  of 
the  City,  upon  the  condition,  however,  that  this  Board  does  not  hereby  agree 
to  furnish  water  for  said  Fountain,  free  of  expense. 

The  City  Engineer,  in  his  Report  to  the  Board  on  the  23d  of  April,  recom- 
mended that  two  of  Huse's  Water  Meters  be  purchased,  at  an  estimated 
expense  of  $1,000  each,  and  placed  in  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  to  measure  the 
water  delivered  into  the  main  pipes.  This  recommendation  was  adopted  in 
the  following  month,  and  the  Meters  were  pmxhased,  but  they  proved  a  failure, 
and  were  ordered  to  be  removed  May  22d,  1856. 

The  Mayor  having  requested  that  the  Fountains  at  the  South  End  might 
play  every  day,  as  it  would  facilitate  the  sale  of  land,  it  was  voted  on  the  20th 


142  [1851. 

of  May,  that  tlicy  be  allowed  to  play  one  hour  and  a  half  before  sunset  every 
afternoon.  On  the  28tli,  they  were  ordered  to  be  played  one  hour  in  the  A. 
M.  and  one  hour  in  the  P.  M. ;  on  Sundays,  from  four  P.  M.  to  sunset,  and  on 
public  days  as  directed  by  the  President. 

June  7th,  at  the  request  of  the  Common  Council,  the  Fountains  in  Black- 
stone  and  Franklin  Squares  were  ordered  to  play  four  hours  on  every  pleasant 
day.     This  order  was  rescinded  August  20th. 

In  the  month  of  May,  the  City  Council  passed  the  following  Vote: 
^^  Ordered,  that  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  take  into  consideration  the  subject 
of  supplying  the  new  Almshouse  at  Deer  Island  with  Cochituate  water,  and 
report  the  result  of  their  investigations  to  the  City  Council." 

On  May  22d,  they  made  their  Report,  in  which  they  say:  "It  is  presumed 
that  the  principal  objects  which  the  Council  had  in  view,  in  referring  the  subject 
to  the  Water  Board,  were  to  ascertain  the  cost  of  conveying  the  water  to  Deer 
Island  as  proposed ;  the  power  of  the  City,  with  its  present  means,  to  afford 
a  supply  for  that  purpose ;  and  the  necessities  which  the  institutions  now 
labor  under  for  want  of  the  same.  In  order,  therefore,  to  ascertain  the  cost  of 
laying  the  mains  for  supplying  water  to  the  Island,  and  also  the  wants  of  the 
Institution,  the  Board  has  directed  the  City  Engineer  to  make  a  smwey  and 
measurement  of  the  distance,  and  an  estimate  of  the  cost,-  and  to  report  such 
facts  as  he  could  obtain  in  relation  to  the  present  means   of  supply  on  the 

Island,  and  their  future  increase.  " "It  appears  from  the  Report  of 

the  Engineer,  that  the  length  of  pipes  to  be  laid  from  the  present 
termination  of  the  6-inch  pipe  in  East  Boston,  across  the  channel,  to  the  hill 
north  of  the  Almshouse,  is  26,050  feet;  that  the  cost  of  laying  a  6-inch  pipe 
the  whole  distance,  including  flexible  joints  for  crossing  the  channel,  boxing 
across    the    bridge    at   North    Chelsea,    and   a    Reservoir    at  the    Island, 

will  be, *      .         .         .  $28,050 

Cost  of  the  same,  deducting  about  18,000  feet,  which  might  be  laid 

of  wood,  say, $19,050 

Cost  of  Iron  and  Wooden  pipe  as  above,  deducting  at  least  $1,500 

by  using  Gutta  Percha  pipes  across  the  channel  at  Deer  Island,      17,550 

The  above  calculations  are  for  a  wooden  pipe  four  inches  in  diameter,  and 
an  iron  pipe  of  six  inches. 

By  reducing  the  iron  pipe  to  four  inches  and  the  wooden  to  two  inches,  and 
using  the  gutta  percha  for  crossing,  the  cost  would  be  reduced  to         $13,750 

The  Iron  and  Wooden  pipes  of  the  larger  size  will  deliver  sixty  feet  above 
tide  level,  56,537  gallons  a  day,  and  at  forty  feet,  69,250. 


1851.]  143 

The  smaller  sized  pipes  will  deliver  12,424  gallons  a  day,  at  forty  feet 
above  tide. 

"  With  regard  to  the  use  of  Wooden  pipes,  there  seems  to  be  ample  evidence 
of  their  durability  to  justify  it,  when  they  can  be  placed  across  marshes  and 
similar  places,  in  which  they  can  be  kept  constantly  wet ;  in  fact  they  may  be 
considered  in  these  places  as  almost  indestructible,  and  the  only  wear  which 
they  would  suffer  is  a  slight  one  from  the  friction  of  the  water  in  the  interior. 
It  has  been  stated  by  persons  having  the  care  of  the  Aqueduct  from  Jamaica 
Pond,  that  the  pipes  which  had  been  buried  for  upwards  of  forty  years  in  wet 
land  were  found,  when  taken  up,  to  be  almost  as  sound  as  when  they  were  first 
laid  down. 

"  In  the  foregoing  estimate,  nothing  is  said  about  land  damages,  and  if  the 
Iron  pipe  is  laid  the  whole  distance,  there  will  probably  be  nothing  to  be  paid 
on  this  account,  as  the  pipe  will  be  carried  under  the  travelled  road.  But  if 
a  Wooden  pipe  is  used,  it  will  be  necessary  to  carry  it  in  a  different  direction, 
over  marshes  and  by  the  shore,  by  which  the  distance  will  be  somewhat 
increased,  but  to  no  great  extent.  And  in  this  case,  land  damages  will  proba- 
bly be  claimed.  If  these  damages  were  to  be  measured  solely  by  the  injury 
done  to  individuals,  they  would  certainly  amount  to  but  little.  As  experience, 
however,  shows  that  they  are  not  so  measured,  in  similar  claims  made  on  the 
City,  it  is  impossible  now  to  estimate  what  the  additional  cost  of  the  work,  on 
this  account,  will  be. 

"  With  regard  to  the  power  of  the  City  to  supply  these  institutions  from  its 
present  means,  there  is  no  doubt  that  a  supply,  amply  sufficient  for  these  and 
all  other  necessary  purposes,  is  brought  into  the  City  at  the  present  time. 
And,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  state,  that  the  quan- 
tity which  can  be  delivered  on  the  island,  by  the  smallest  of  the  proposed 
pipes,  in  a  day,  will  be  about  the  same  that  is  used  in  each  of  the  Fountains 
by  the  State  House,  in  an  hour,  and  the  quantity  which  can  be  delivered  by 
the  largest  pipe,  at  a  height  of  sixty  feet,  in  a  day,  will  not  much  exceed 
that  used  by  the  two  Fountains  in  Franklin  Square  every  hour." 

In  the  Eeport  of  the  City  Engineer,  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  to  the  Water  Board, 
he  says :  "  The  distance,  by  actual  measurement,  from  the  end  of  the  nearest 
Cochituate  pipe  in  East  Boston,  along  Saratoga  Street,  across  the  North 
Chelsea  Bridge,  and  along  the  travelled  road,  generally,  to  the  hill  imme- 
diately north  of  the  Almshouse,  is  26,050  feet.  A  six-inch  iron  pipe  could 
be  furnished  and  laid  this  distance,  at  the  present  prices  of  iron,  for  $1.00  a 
foot,  or  $26,050  for  the  whole.  About  $1,000  should  be  added  to  this  sum 
for  the  extra  expense  of  flexible  joints  across  Shirley   Gut,  dredging,  etc. ; 


144  [1851. 

$700  for  boxing  across  North  Chelsea  Bridge,  to  keep  the  pipe  from  freezing ; 
and  $300  for  a  Reservoir  on  the  Island;  making  in  all  $28,050.  By  following 
the  public  road,  all  sources  of  land  damages  might  be  avoided. 

"  As  on  about  1 8,000  feet  of  the  distance,  wooden  pipes  might  be  laid  to 
advantage,  because  they  could  be  protected  by  salt  marshes  or  salt  water, 
considerable  saving — at  least  $9,000  —  might  be  made  by  adopting  them. 
A  fom'-inch  wooden  pipe  would,  in  a  few  years,  deliver  as  much  water  as  a 
six-inch  ii-on  one,  and  in  a  purer  state,  because  the  latter  would  become 
partially  filled  by  oxidation,  while  the  former  would  probably  be  worn  a 
very  little  larger. 

"  K  Mr.  Stodder's  plan  for  crossing  North  Chelsea  Creek,  and  Shirley  Gut, 
with  anchored  gutta  percha  pipes,  be  adopted,  a  further  saving  of  at  least 
$1,500  might  be  made.  How  long  these  pipes  would  last,  no  one  knows,  and 
they  would  be  somewhat  liable  to  be  disturbed.  As  you  are  aware,  Black- 
well's  Island,  N.  Y.,  is  supplied  with  Croton  Water,  through  a  pipe  of  this 
kind.  The  cost  of  one,  is  comparatively  so  small,  that  even  a  failure  would 
involve  very  little  loss. 

"  A  small  Reservoir  on  the  Island  would  be  necessary  to  retain  a  sufficient 
quantity  for  consumption,  during  such  times  as  the  supply  pipe  might  require 
repairs.  The  cost  of  one,  in  earth,  has  been  allowed  for  in  the  estimate.  By 
reducing  the  size  of  the  pipes  to  about  two  inches  diameter,  for  which  four  inch 
pipes  of  iron  should  be  laid  part  of  the  way,  and  using  wooden  pipes  part  of 
the  way,  as  before  suggested,  with  gutta  percha  crossings,  and  by  delivering 
the  Water  only  40  feet  above  tide,  the  whole  expense  might  be  reduced  to 
$13,750.  The  daily  supply  in  that  case,  it  is  estimated,  would  be  12,524 
gallons." 

The  annual  Election  of  Members  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  took 
place  April  14th,  and  resulted  in  the  re-election  of  those  chosen  in 
January. 

During  the  month  of  May,  petitions  were  received  from  R.  H.  Eddy,  Esq., 
for  the  free  use  of  water  for  a  Fountain  situated  in  Exeter  Place,  and  also  one 
from  the  owners  of  estates  on  Louisburg  Square  for  the  same  purpose.  These 
were  both  referred  to  a  committee,  who  reported,  August  20th,  that  the  peti- 
tioners have  leave  to  withdraw,  on  the  ground  that  the  Board  had  no  power 
to  furnish  the  water  free,  but  recommended  that  said  fountain  should  be 
supplied  on  the  payment  of  the  regular  rates. 

June  7th,  several  complaints  were  received  as  to  the  bad  taste  of  the  water : 


1851.]  145 

these  were  referred  to  the  President  to  investigate,  who  reported  that  it  was 
caused  hj  the  want  of  a  thorough  flushing  out  of  the  pipes  all  over  the 
City,  which  was  immediate]y  attended  to,  and  no  further  complaints  were 
received. 

Several  petitions  having  been  received,  asking  to  have  money  refunded 
which  had  been  paid  for  water,  where  the  use  of  the  same  had  been  discon- 
tinued, it  was  voted  that  the  Board  had  no  power  to  refund  a  Water  Rate, 
after  the  same  had  been  paid. 

October  8th,  a  communication  from  the  City  Engineer  was  received,  stating 
that  the  large  stopcock  on  the  36-inch  main,  at  the  head  of  Dover  Street,  was 
out  of  order,  and  to  repair  it  would  require  the  water  to  be  shut  off  forty-eight 
hours ;  and  to  guard  against  accidents  that  might  happen  to  the  30-inch  main, 
he  recommended  that  the  20-inch  pipe  which  supplies  South  Boston,  and  the 
12-inch  pipe  on  Harrison  Avenue,  and  also  the  12-inch  pipe  now  separated  by 
the  Worcester  Railroad  Bridge  on  Harrison  Avenue,  be  brought  together  at 
an  estimated  expense  of  $600 ;  whereupon  it  was  voted  to  make  the  connec- 
tion. 

Notice  having  been  received,  on  October  15th,  of  a  leak  in  the  East  Boston 
Reservoir,  it  was  voted,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Engineer,  that  it  be 
repaired  by  a  coating  of  concrete,  at  an  estimated  expense  of  $1,250. 

During  the  same  month,  on  the  22 d,  a  vote  was  passed  to  sell  the  Hyde 
Place,  in  Newton,  the  estate  on  which  the  well  that  supplies  the  Newton  Aqueduct 
is  situated,  for  the  sum  of  $2,000,  on  the  condition  that  the  purchaser  shall 
covenant  not  to  do  or  permit  any  act  which  may  injure  the  Reservoir,  Well  or 
Conduit  of  the  Newton  Aqueduct  Company,  or  interfere  with  or  lessen  the 
supply  of  water  in  the  same ;  the  said  covenant  to  be  inserted  in  the  deed 
which  shall  be  given  of  the  premises,  and  the  City  to  reserve  therein  the  right 
to  enter  for  breach  of  the  same. 

Capt.  Tewksbury  reported,  December  5th,  that  he  had  taken  up  3,500  lbs. 
of  the  temporary  lead  pipe  which  was  laid  to  convey  the  water  to  East 
Boston. 

The  Committee  on  Water  recommended,  on  December  8th,  that  $100,000 
be  set  aside  to  pay  the  excess  of  interest  over  income,  and  that  this  amount  be 
put  into  the  annual  appropriation,  which  was  referred  to  the  next  City  Gov- 
ernment. 

During  the  month,  the  President  and  Henry  B.  Rogers  were  requested  to 
draw  up  the  Annual  Report,  which,  on  being  presented,  was  accepted  by  the 
Board,  and  submitted  to  the  City  Council,  Jan.  15th,  1852.     It  contained  a  full 
19 


146  [1851. 

description  and  history  of  the  Water  Works,  in  addition  to  the  general  Report 
of  their  transactions  of  the  year,  together  with  those  of  the  City  Engineer, 
Water  Registrar,  and  Clerk  of  the  Board,  covering  in  all  118  pages.  Three 
Maps  accompanied  the  Report,  one  showing  the  whole  line  of  the  aqueduct ; 
a  general  map  showing  the  relative  positions  of  the  compensating  Reservoirs ; 
and  a  map  showing  the  high  service  in  the  City,  and  the  elevation  of  the 
door-sills,  cisterns  and  points  of  delivery  of  the  several  dwellings  in  it. 

In  a  Report  of  the  City  Engineer  made  July  23d,  1851,  on  the  subject  of 
the  High  Service,  he  says,  after  stating  that  a  survey  had  been  made  of  the 
district  embracing  the  high  service,  "  It  has  been  ascertained  that  there  are 
22  houses  above  the  maximum  level  of  the  Brookline  Reservoir ;  of  course, 
these  never  have  been,  and  never  can  be  supplied  with  Cochituate  Water  by 
the  simple  action  of  gravity;  there  are,  besides  these,  11  houses  with  their 
highest  points  of  delivery  above  the  level  of  the  waste-weir  of  the  Beacon 
Hill  Reservoir,  but  not  above  the  maximum  level  of  the  Brookline  Reservoir. 

"  Of  course,  no  promise  was  ever  made  to  supply  water  at  these  heights. 
Between  the  level  of  the  waste-weir  and  that  of  a  point  8^  feet  below,  or  113 
feet  above  tide  marsh  level,  there  are  53  points  of  delivery.  These  are  the 
points  which  the  City  may  fairly  be  considered  under  obligation  to  supply,  at 
least  eleven  months  out  of  the  twelve,  and  which  will  probably  often  fail  to 
receive  a  supply,  if  no  special  provision  be  made  at  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir 
for  the  high  service."  He  then  suggests  several  plans ;  the  one  recommended 
was  No.  3,  which  he  describes  as  follows :  "  This  plan  requires  in  the  Reser- 
voir, on  the  end  of  the  influent  pipe,  a  stand  pipe,  say  30  inches  in  diameter, 
with  a  horizontal  branch  having  a  throttle  valve  in  it.  It  is  proposed  to  close 
this  valve  three  hours  out  of  the  twenty-four.  The  effect  of  closing  it  would 
be  to  cause  the  water  in  the  stand  pipe  to  rise  within  a  few  inches  of  the 
height  of  the  surface  of  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  and  consequently,  to  com- 
mence filling  all  the  cisterns  that  could  be  thus  reached;  during  the  other 
twenty-one  hours,  the  full  capacity  of  the  30-inch  pipe,  with  all  the  head 
existing  at  the  time,  would  be  enjoyed  by  aU  parts  of  the  city."  He  estimates 
the  cost  of  carrying  into  effect  this  arrangement  at  $1,400.  For  Report  see 
page  263,  Water  Board  Journal,  1851.  (City  Documents  on  the  subject  of 
Water,  for  year  1851,  Nos.  37,  38,  40,  46,  54.) 


1852.] 


C  HAP  TEE     XVII. 

1852  to  1855. 

Questions  as  to  the  expediency  of  extending  the  Works  into  Eoxbnry  —  Excess  of  interest 
to  be  charged  to  construction — Election  of  Water  Board  for  1852,  and  their  organiza- 
tion—  Free  use  of  Water  for  Fountains  —  Main  Pipe  on  T.  Wharf — Contract  with 
Watermen  for  supplying  the  Shipping  —  Purchase  of  lot  for  a  new  pipe  yard  —  Gates  to 
the  arches  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir — Drinking  Fount  on  the  Common.  —  Application 
for  the  purchase  of  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  —  Annual  Eeport  of  the  Board  for  1852  — 
Accretions  on  the  Iron  Pipes — Eemoval  of  the  large  Stopcock  on  Tremont  Street  — 
Water  Rates  assessed  on  the  Public  Buildings  —  Waste  of  Water  —  Shutting  off  Water 
from  the  Mains  without  notice  —  Election  of  Water  Board  for  1853,  and  their  organiza- 
tion—  Election  of  Water  Registrar — Stable  built — Offer  for  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aque- 
duct property —  Accretions  on  the  Pipes  —  Night  and  Day  Inspectors  appointed — City 
Engineer  requested  to  report  on  the  expediency  of  uniting  the  Mains,  and  also  on  other 
subjects  —  Election  of  Water  Board  for  1854,  and  their  organization  —  Ordinance  for 
assessing  Water  Rates  on  the  Public  Buildings  repealed — Offers  for  the  purchase  of  the 
Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  property  —  Settlement  of  the  claims  for  diverting  the  Water  — 
E.  F.  Knowlton  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Western  Division  —  Possession  of  land 
in  Osborn  Place  —  Complaints  of  a  bad  taste  to  the  Water,  and  the  investigation  as  to 
the  cause. 

The  question  having  been  agitated  as  to  the  expediency  of  extending  the 
Aqueduct  into  the  City  of  Roxbury,  the  Mayor  sent  a  communication  to  the 
Board,  on  March  29th,  requesting  their  opinion  as  to  whether  the  supply  of 
water  was  adequate  for  such  an  extension ;  the  cost  and  practicability  of  the 
work,  and  how  the  interest  of  the  City  would  be  effected  in  reference  to  its 
property  in  Jamaica  Pond. 

To  this  they  immediately  replied,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board,  the 
present  means  of  supply  would  not  be  adequate  for  the  supply  of  Roxbury ; 
that  the  Water  Rents  would  not  probably  pay  a  fair  interest  on  the  cost,  and 
that  it  would  render  the  City's  property  in  Jamaica  Pond  valueless. 

The  proposition  of  appropriating  the  sum  of  $100,000,  mentioned  in  the 
preceding  Chapter,  which  was  referred  to  the  next  City  Council  on  December 


148  [1852. 

8th,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  and  on  their  recommendation,  it 
was  voted,  "that  it  is  inexpedient  to  raise  $100,000  by  taxation  to  meet 
interest  on  water  debt,  but  that  the  deficiency  should  be  charged  to  con- 
struction." 

On  the  5th  of  April,  1852,  Messrs.  Thomas  Wetmore,  Henry  B.  Rogers, 
John  H.  Wilkins,  Jonathan  Preston,  Adam  W.  Thaxter,  Jr.,  Sampson  Reed 
and  Ezra  Lincoln,  were  elected  members  of  the  Board  for  one  year.  They 
met,  for  organization,  on  the  7th ;  at  which  meeting,  Thomas  Wetmore  was 
elected  President,  and  Samuel  Holbrook,  Clerk  of  the  Board. 

A  Petition  was  sent  to  the  City  Council,  from  the  proprietors  on  Louisburg 
Square,  City  Document  No.  24,  1852,  complaining  that  the  Cochituate  Water 
Board  had  refused  to  supply  water  free  for  the  Fountain  in  said  Square,  and 
stating  that  they  "  did  distinctly  arrange  and  agree  with  the  late  Mayor,  and 
other  members  of  the  City  Government,  so  far  as  any  agreement  could  be 
made  without  special  enactment,"  that  if  the  Proprietors  would  at  their  own 
cost  and  expense,  erect  a  marble  fountain  with  all  the  necessary  fixtures,  that 
the  City  would  grant  the  free  use  of  the  Cochituate  Water,  so  long  as  an 
abundant  supply  should  continue,  and  they  therefore  ask  that  said  order  may 
be  rescinded.  This  communication  was  referred  to  the  Board,  who  made  their 
Report,  April  19th,  in  which  they  argue  the  case  at  some  length,  but  state  that 
they  have  no  power  to  grant  the  free  use  of  water  for  any  purpose  whatever ; 
and  they  refer  the  City  Council  to  the  opinion  of  the  City  Solicitor  given  in 
the  year  1850,  in  consequence  of  the  application  of  "The  Children's  Friend 
Society."     See  Part  III.,  Chapter  I. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  communication,  the  City  Council  recommended  to  the 
Board  that  the  fountain  be  supplied  at  a  nominal  rate;  and  on  May  22 d,  they 
voted  to  furnish  water  to  play  the  fountain  as  often  and  as  long  as  the  Board 
shall  think  proper,  during  the  present  year,  for  $50  j  but  on  June  2d,  this 
amount  was  reduced  to  $25. 

Messrs.  P.  Sprague  &  Co.  having  made  application  to  have  a  main  pipe 
laid  on  T.  wharf,  it  was  voted  May  7th,  to  lay  said  pipe  on  the  condition, 
which  was  accepted,  that  the  said  Sprague  &  Co.  secure  the  pipe  against 
freezing, 

June  9th,  it  was  voted  to  renew  the  Watermen's  contract  for  one  year,  from 
May  15th,  with  the  following  alterations,  viz:  they  to  pay  over  to  the  City, 
monthly,  one-third  of  the  receipts;  that  they  be  allowed  to  charge  37^  cts. 
for  every  100  gallons,  and  that  they  shall  not  be  obliged  to  furnish  any 
quantity  for  less  than  50  cts.     On  July  26th,  it  was  further  amended  "that 


1852.]  149 

they  are  also  to  supply  water  to  vessels,  excepting  steamers,  for  washiiig 
decks,  and  to  vessels  on  the  stocks,  for  proving  seams,  at  the  same  rates  as 
has  been  or  may  hereafter  be  established  by  the  Water  Registrar."  It  was 
also  provided,  that  if  they  should  neglect  or  refuse  to  supply  any  vessel  with 
water  when  required,  for  any  purpose,  the  Board  had  the  power  to  adopt  such 
measures  for  supplying  the  same,  as  they  might  deem  expedient. 

Notice  was  received  June  9th,  that  the  Arsenal  lot  on  Pleasant  street,  near 
Park  Square,  must  be  vacated;  this  estate  had  been  used  for  a  "  Pipe  Yard " 
ever  since  the  works  were  commenced,  and,  as  the  Board  had  no  power  to 
purchase  a  lot  for  a  new  yard,  notice  was  sent  to  the  City  Council,  who  passed 
a  vote  authorizing  the  purchase  of  a  suitable  lot ;  and,  on  October  6th,  the 
offer  of  $1.50  per  square  foot,  was  made  to  Mr.  Solomon  Piper  for  a  lot  on 
Sea  Street,  now  Federal  Street,  containing  9,192  -^^-^-^  feet:  and,  on  the  22d, 
they  purchased  it  for  the  sum  of  $13,784,57.  Plans  were  immediately  made 
for  the  present  building,  which  were  accepted  November  3d. 

During  the  year  1852,  gates  were  ordered  to  be  erected  to  the  arches  of 
the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir.  A  drinking  font  was  directed  to  be  put  at  the 
junction  of  Charles  and  Boylston  streets.  There  was  also  an  application  from 
the  City  of  Roxbm-y  for  the  purchase  of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  and  the 
property  was  offered  to  them  for  the  sum  of  $35,000,  but  was  not  accepted. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  for  the  year  1852,  contained  a  Map  of  all 
the  pipes  in  the  streets,  showing  the  size  of  each,  and  the  location  of  the 
hydrants  and  stopcocks. 

The  Report  also  contains  very  valuable  information  in  regard  to  the  accre- 
tions on  the  iron  pipes,  which  we  transfer  entire  to  our  pages  as  important 
for  the  future  management  of  not  only  our  own,  but  of  all  Water  Works. 

The  Board  say :  Among  the  variety  of  topics  noticed  in  the  Report  of  the 
Engineer,  deserving  the  consideration  of  the  Citj^  Council,  there  is  one  which  we 
consider  to  be  eminently  so.  We  allude  to  the  effects  which  are  found  to  be 
produced,  on  the  inner  surface,  of  all  the  iron  mains  and  pipes,  by  the  action  of 
the  water. 

The  attention  of  the  Water  Board  was  attracted  to  the  subject,  soon  after  its 
appointment ;  for  although  the  pipes  had  then  been  in  use  less  than  three  years, 
those  effects  were  already  quite  obvious  and  striking,  and  in  fact  had  been 
noticed  some  time  previous.  They  have  since  then  been  carefully  watched,  and 
the  valuable  assistance  of  Professor  Horsford  has  been  engaged,  for  the  purpose 
of  ascertaining  as  far  as  is  practicable,  their  origin,  their  probable  progress  for 
the  future,  and  the  means  which  might  be  relied  upon,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
venting, arresting,  or  retarding  them.     The  two  Communications  of  Professor 


150  [1852. 

Horsford,  describe  with  minuteness  the  present   appearance  and  state  of  the 
interior  of  the  mains  and  pipes,  as  does  also  the  Report  of  the  City  Engineer. 

The  effects  to  which  we  now  alhide  are  the  peculiar  changes  which  have  been 
produced  on  the  iron  itself;  and  they  consist  in 

1.  The  absorption  of  the  iron  in  certain  places,  and  the  formation  in  its  stead 
of  a  substance  resembling  plumbago. 

2.  The  gradual  development  of  local  accretions  or  tubercles,  in  the  interior  of 
the  pipes,  by  which  the  flow  of  water  is  impeded,  and  their  capacity  diminished, 
so  that  the  object  for  which  they  were  laid  becomes  imperfectly  accomplished, 
and  an  apprehension  is  excited  that  they  may  be  so  far  closed  up  as  to  be  useless 
hereafter. 

This  subject  has  received  but  little  scientific  investigation,  till  within  a  few 
3-ears,  notwithstanding  its  very  obvious  importance,  and  although  the  evils  must 
have  existed  ever  since  cast-iron  has  been  used  for  such  purposes.  It  is  one, 
however,  of  no  little  importance  to  the  City,  as  there  is  involved  in  it  the  question 
of  the  present  and  future  capacity  of  all  the  iron  pipes  which  have  been  or  are  to 
be  laid,  at  no  small  expense,  and  of  their  consequent  adaptation  to  the  purpose 
for  which  they  are  used,  and  also  of  their  ultimate  durability.  The  Water  Board 
have  therefore  thought  that  it  would  be  interesting  and  useful  to  lay  before  the 
council  somewhat  in  detail,  not  only  the  present  condition  of  the  pipes  belonging 
to  the  Water  Works  of  this  City,  in  relation  to  the  subject ;  but  also  the  result 
of  such  inquiries,  as  they  have  been  able  to  make,  into  the  extent  of  the  same 
evils  in  other  places,  and  the  efforts  which  have  been  made  to  ascertain  their 
nature  and  origin,  and  to  provide  a  remedy  for  them,  and  the  success  of  those 
efforts. 

The  first  notice  taken  of  this  subject  which  we  have  seen,  appears  in  the  trans- 
actions of  the  French  Academy  of  Sciences,  for  the  year  1836  (Comptes  Rendus, 
V.  S,p.  Idl).  It  is  a  note  by  M.  Vicat  on  the  subject  of  a  coating  to  prevent  the 
development  of  Tubercidous  accretions  in  cast-iron  pipes  for  conducting  water. 

He  states  that  a  report,  printed  at  Grenoble,  November  22,  1833,  by  order  of 
the  Municipal  Council,  called  the  attention  of  the  public,  to  the  rapid,  as  well  as 
unforeseen,  filling  up  of  the  large  cast  iron  main,  of  the  Chateau  d'Eau,  in  that 
town.  The  formation  of  numerous  tubercles  of  hydroxide  of  iron,  began  to 
show  itself,  shortly  after  the  water  was  let  on,  by  a  perceptible,  though  slight 
diminution  of  the  discharge.  The  development  of  the  accretions,  however,  as 
was  proved  by  many  accurate  measurements,  soon  increased  so  much,  that  the 
supply  of  the  Chateau,  which  had  been  in  1826  about  1400  litres  (about  370 
wine  gallons)  a  minute,  was  gradually  reduced  in  1833  to  720  litres,  (about  190 
wine  gallons,)  showing  a  loss  of  nearly  one-half.  A  good  deal  of  alarm  was 
excited  by  it,  and  an  attempt  was  immediately  made  by  eminent  chemists,  to 
ascertain  the  cause,  and  reconcile  the  phenomenon  with  various  theories.  A 
commission,  consisting  of  Engineers  and  others,  was  also  appointed  which 
discussed  at  Grenoble,  the  means  of  destroying  this  kind  of  ferruginous  vegeta- 


1852.]  151 

tion  (as  it  is  called  in  the  Report),  or  arresting  its  progress.  In  the  mean  time 
new  measurements  indicated  that  in  less  than  five  years  the  pipes  would  probably 
be  so  obstructed  that  the  water  would  cease  to  flow  through  them.  Two  mem- 
bers of  the  Commission,  Messrs.  Guemard  and  Vicat,  Engineers  in  chief,  being 
persuaded  that  the  tubercles  were  formed  at  the  expense  of  the  castings,  applied 
themselves  to  the  discovery  of  some  coating,  which  would  be  at  the  same  time, 
cheap,  indestructible,  and  capable  of  preventing  oxidation.  After  two  years  of 
experiments,  they  considered  it  sufficiently  proved,  that  hydraulic  cement  applied 
about  2J  millimetres  thick  (0.0984  in,)  is  of  all  compositions,  combining  facility 
of  application  and  cheapness,  that  which  adheres  the  best  to  the  castings,  is  the 
most  indestructible,  and  prevents  most  efiectually  all  oxidation,  and  consequent 
formation  of  the  tubercles.  With  this  composition,  they  recommended  that  the 
interior  of  the  mains  should  be  washed  over,  by  means  of  a  sponge,  proportioned 
in  size  to  the  diameter  of  the  pipe. 

M.  Vicat  also  states  that,  owing  to  unforeseen  causes,  the  tubercles  on  the 
grand  Conduit  for  supplying  the  fountains  appeared  to  have  reached  their  limit 
of  development,  as  several  exact  and  careful  measurements  which  had  been  made 
in  May  1836  left  no  doubt  of  the  fact.  He  says,  therefore,  that  it  might  be 
aflSrmed  they  were  then  stationary.  He  raises  a  question,  however,  as  to  their 
continuing  so,  for  the  future. 

In  the  same  volume  (p.  462),  there  is  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  M.  Prunelle 
to  M.  Arago  on  the  subject  of  the  tubercles  which  had  formed  in  the  pipes  of  the 
conduit  at  Vichy.  Those  pipes,  which  were  gray  castings,  had  been  laid  twenty- 
six  years  previous.  The  quantity  of  water  from  them  had  diminished  from  day 
to  day,  and  among  other  obstacles  to  its  passage,  they  at  last  discovered  tubercles 
as  large  as  hens'  eggs.  The  water  passing  through  them  was  found  not  to 
contain  a  trace  of  iron. 

And  there  is  also  one  from  Sir  John  Herschel  to  M.  Arago  (p.  506),  which 
mentions,  that  pipes  for  conducting  water,  at  the  Gape  of  Good  Hope,  were 
afiected  in  the  same  way  as  those  at  Grenoble,  and  that  the  difliculty  had  been 
remedied  by  a  coating  of  Roman  cement. 

In  the  transactions  of  the  same  Academy  for  the  next  year,  (Gomptes  Hendus, 
1837,  V.  4,  p.  190,)  there  is  a  Report  from  a  Committee  on  a  memorial  offered  by 
M.  Payen,  on  the  subject  of  local  concretions  or  tubercles,  in  iron  water  pipes. 
The  following  is  the  result  of  M.  Payen's  experiments  and  reasoning :  "Waters 
which  have  a  feeble  alkaline  reaction  possess  the  property  in  presence  of  air  and 
sea  salt,  of  producing  on  wrought  or  cast  iron  which  they  moisten,  local  concre- 
tions, which  preserve  the  remainder  of  the  surface  free  from  all  change.  And 
these  effects  vary  according  to  the  proportion  of  the  different  salts,  the  breaks  of 
continuity,  and  the  foreign  bodies  adhering  to  the  surface  of  the  metal.  That  to 
this  cause  may  be  attributed  the  concretions  in  the  pipes  at  Grenoble,  the  waters 
at  that  place  having  a  feeble  alkaline  reaction,  owing  to  the  presence  of  carbonate 
of  lime,   and  being   slightly   alkaline.      And   that  it  may  be  concluded,  that 


152 


[1852. 


wherever  there  is  a  want  of  homogeneity  in  cast-iron  pipes,  which  convey  water 
slightly  alkaline  and  saline,  tnbercles  will  be  found  at  the  points  where  hetero- 
geneity exists. 

An  analj- sis  of  the  accretions  gave  the  following  results  :  — 
Protoxide  of  iron,  . 
Peroxide  of  iron,    . 


Carbonic  acid. 
Water,    . 
Silica,     . 


0.210 
0.582 
0.050 
0.145 
0.013 

1.000 


In  1837,  the  subject  attracted  the  attention  of  the  British  Association  for  the 
Advancement  of  Science^  and  under  its  auspices,  a  very  elaborate  investigation  of 
the  action  of  air  and  water,  whether  fresh  or  salt,  clear  or  foul,  and  at  various 
temperatures,  upon  cast-iron,  wrought-iron  and  steel,  was  made  by  Mr.  Robert 
Mallet.  Mr.  Mallet  commenced  in  1838,  and  continued  until  the  year  1843,  a 
very  complete  course  of  experiments  on  the  subject.  They  were  made  on  eighty- 
two  different  sorts  of  iron,  (chiefly  cast-iron,)  immersed  in  clear  and  foul  sea 
water  and  clear  and  foul  fresh  river  water,  for  two  different  periods,  the  first 
period  occupj' ing  387  days,  and  the  last,  732  days  ;  and,  at  the  end  of  each  period, 
the  specimens  were  taken  up,  carefully  examined,  and  weighed.  The  results  of 
the  experiments,  and  Mr.  Mallet's  deductions  therefrom,  were  communicated, 
from  time  to  time,  to  the  Association,  in  three  Reports  made  by  him,  which  were 
published  in  the  Reports  of  the  Association,  for  the  years  1838,  1840  and  1843. 

In  his  first  Report,  which  is  devoted  to  the  consideration  of  the  then  existing 
state  of  chemical  knowledge  of  the  subject  at  lai-ge,  he  remarks,  that  notwith- 
standing the  innumerable  uses  to  which  iron  had  been  applied,  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  the  social  wants  of  man,  during  the  preceding  half  century,  yet  our 
information  on  the  subject  of  its  durability,  and  the  causes  liltely  to  impair  or 
promote  it,  was  scarcely  more  advanced  than  it  had  been  twenty  years  previously, 
and  that  while  the  chemist  was  not  precisely  informed  as  to  the  changes  which 
air  and  water  produce  on  it,  the  engineer  was  without  data  to  determine  what 
limits  the  corroding  action  sets  to  its  durability.  Nor  was  it  known  with  cer- 
tainty, what  properties  should  be  chosen  in  wrought  or  cast  iron,  that  its  corro- 
sion might  be  the  least  possible,  under  given  circumstances.  Neither  was  our 
actual  knowledge  more  advanced  as  to  the  variable  effects  of  corrosive  action, 
on  the  same  iron,  of  different  waters,  such  as  are  commonly  met  with,  containing 
their  usual  mineral  ingredients  in  solution  (exclusive  of  the  better  understood 
cases  of  mine-ivaters) . 

The  investigation  was  therefore  undertaken  for  the  purpose  of  throwing  light 
on  these  topics,  and  there  was  of  course  involved  in  it  a  great  extent  of  inquiry 
into  the  durability  of  the  metal,  the  forces  which  were  likely  to  impair  it,  the 


1852.]  153 

mode  in  which  these  forces  would  act,  what  would  be  their  results,  and  the  means 
of  arresting  their  progress. 

The  Board  can  merely  state  some  of  the  general  laws  regulating  the  action  of 
fresh  water  on  iron  pipes  which  Mr.  Mallet  considers  as  previously  known,  or 
established  or  confirmed  by  his  experiments. 

He  found  that  any  sort  of  iron,  cast  or  wrought,  corrodes  when  exposed  to  the 
action  of  water  holding  air  in  combination,  in  one  or  other  or  some  combination 
of  the  following  forms,  viz  :  1.  Uniformly ^  or  when  the  whole  surface  of  the  iron 
is  covered  uniformly  with  a  coat  of  rust,  requiring  to  be  scraped  off,  and  leaving 
a  smooth  red  surface  after  it.  2.  Uniformly  loith  plumbago,  where  the  surface  as 
before  uniformly  corroded,  is  found  in  some  places  covered  with  phtmbagenous 
matter,  leaving  a  piebald  surface  of  red  and  black  after  it.  3.  Locally,  or  only 
rusted  in  some  places  and  free  from  rust  in  others.  4.  Locally  pitted,  where  the 
surface  is  left  as  in  the  last  case,  but  the  metal  is  found  unequally  removed  to  a 
greater  or  less  depth.  5.  Tubercular,  when  the  whole  of  the  rust  which  has  taken 
place  at  every  point  of  the  specimen  has  been  transferred  to  one  or  more  particu- 
lar points  of  its  surface,  and  has  there  formed  large  projecting  tubercles,  leaving 
the  rest  bare. 

The  great  elements  of  difference  of  corrosion  as  respects  the  iron  itself  appear 
to  be : 

1.  The  degree  ot  homogeneity  of  substance  of  the  metal,  and  especially  of  its 
surface. 

2.  The  degree  of  density  of  the  metal,  and  state  of  its  crystalline  arrangement. 

3.  The  amount  of  uncombined  carbon  or  suspended  graphite  contained  in  the 
iron. 

And  therefore  that  the  more  homogeneous,  the  denser,  harder,  and  closer 
grained ;  and  the  less  graphitic,  the  smaller  is  the  index  of  corrosion. 

In  fresh  water  combined  with  air,  corrosion  proceeds  fastest  in  water  from 
175^  to  190°  Fahrenheit. 

And  it  is  in  direct  ratio  with  the  volume  of  air,  — 

And  ceases  entirely  in  water  deprived  of  air. 

Fresh  water  may  hold  so  much  combined  air,  (not  to  speak  of  carbonic  acid,) 
as  to  act  more  rapidly  than  sea  water.  Carbon  as  it  is  known  exists  in  iron  as 
diffused  graphite  in  a  crystalline  form,  and  as  combined  carbon;  the  dark  gray 
and  softer  irons  contain  more  of  the  former  ;  the  lighter  and  harder  irons,  more  of 
the  latter.  Now  the  latter  kind  have  the  property  of  being  much  less  uniform  or 
homogeneous  in  surface  when  cast  under  similar  conditions,  than  the  former; 
while  the  highly  graphitic  irons,  though  more  uniform  in  large  specimens,  are 
the  least  dense  and  softest  in  texture  :  hence,  the  bright  gray  irons  of  high  com- 
mercial marks,  the  Nos.  1  and  2,  while  they  are  the  most  valuable  for  construc- 
tion, are  also  the  most  durable.  And,  in  general,  the  result  of  the  experiments 
show  that  cast-iron  with  low  commercial  marks,  the  Nos.  3  and  4,  etc.,  corrode 
20 


154  [1852. 

locallj''  and  generally  become  pitted,  while  the  high  marks,  1  and  2,  etc.,  corrode 
"svith  considerable  uniformity  over  the  whole  surface. 

The  rate  of  corrosion  is  a  decreasing  one,  at  least  when  the  plumbago  and  rust 
first  formed  has  been  removed.  When,  however,  this  coating  remains  untouched, 
the  rate  is  much  more  nearly  uniform,  and  is  nearly  proportional  to  the  time  of 
reaction,  in  given  conditions.  In  some  cases,  even  where  the  coating  had  been 
removed,  an  increment  in  the  rate  had  taken  place.  And  it  is  observable  that 
this  almost  uniformly  occurred  in  those  specimens  which  had  the  smallest  amount 
of  corrosion  at  their  first  immersion.  Thus  there  was  a  tendency  to  a  greater 
equality  in  the  index  of  corrosion  in  all  the  varieties  of  iron  at  the  second  than 
at  the  first  immersion. 

Homogeneity  of  surface  and  texture,  or  the  contrary,  are  by  far  the  most 
important  circumstances  which  vary  the  amount  of  corrosion  of  cast-iron  by  air 
and  water. 

And  the  rapidity  of  this  corrosion  is  not  so  much  dependent  upon  the  chemical 
constitution  of  the  metal,  as  found  in  commerce,  as  it  is  upon  the  state  of 
molecular  arrangement  and  the  condition  of  its  constituent  carbon. 

It  is  certain  that  the  blackest  cast-irons,  viz.,  those  wliich  contain  the  largest 
quantities  of  uncombined  carbon  or  graphite  in  a  mere  state  of  mixture,  are 
acted  upon  by  water  and  air  the  most  rapidly.  The  gray  or  mottled  iron  as 
containing  a  less  quantity  of  uncombined  carbon,  and  having  a  denser  structure, 
is  less  acted  upon.  And  the  varieties  of  iron  which  present  scarcely  any 
symptoms  of  a  crystalline  texture  at  all,  but  still  are  grained  or  mottled,  are 
those  which  are  the  least  susceptible  of  alteration  or  decay. 

Chilled  cast-iron,  of  every  sort,  upon  the  whole,  corrodes  faster  than  the  same 
sort  of  iron  cast  in  green  sand.  And  this  is  owing  to  the  greater  want  of  homo- 
geneity, in  its  surface,  than  in  that  of  any  other  sort  of  casting,  by  which  the 
voltaic  action  produced  at  its  surface,  increases  the  corrosion  to  a  greater 
extent,  than  its  great  density  and  hardness  and  small  amount  of  uncombined 
carbon  are  capable  of  retarding  it,  compared  with  other  sorts  of  cast-iron. 
When,  however,  iron  moulded  in  sand  is  exposed  to  corrosion,  this  takes  place 
with  considerable  uniformity  over  the  whole  surface.  But  in  chilled  castings, 
the  largest  portion  of  the  surface  remains  unchanged,  and  the  corrosion  is 
nearly  or  wholly  confined  to  certain  spots,  and  gradually  produces  large  tuber- 
cular concretions. 

The  size,  and  perhaps  the  form  of  iron  casting,  forms  one  element,  in  the  rate 
of  its  corrosion  in  water.  Because  the  thinner  castings  having  cooled  much 
faster  and  more  irregularly  than  the  thicker,  are  much  less  homogeneous,  and 
contain  veins  and  patches,  harder  than  the  rest  of  their  substance  ;  hence  the 
formation  of  voltaic  couples  and  accelerated  corrosion. 

He  estimates  that  from  three-tenths  to  four-tenths  of  an  inch  in  depth,  of  cast- 
iron  one  inch  thick,  and  about  six-tenths  of  an  inch  of  wrought  iron,  will  be 
destroyed  in  a  century,  in  clear  water. 


1852.]  155 

He  also  states  that  the  officers  of  the  French  artillery,  after  a  number  of 
experiments,  found  that  the  corrosion  of  iron  by  air  and  water,  is  greater  in  pro- 
portion to  the  purity  and  goodness  of  the  coke,  with  which  the  iron  is  made,  and 
that  it  is  altered  less,  when  made  with  charcoal,  thau  with  coke  ;  and  that  iron 
cast  in  diy  sand,  or  in  loam  moulds  faced  with  charcoal,  oxidates  much  less 
speedily  than  when  cast  in  green  sand  ;  and  that  chilled  cast-iron,  or  that  cast  in 
iron  moulds,  is  least  of  all  susceptible  of  the  change. 

As  to  the  nature  and  origin  of  the  peculiar  change  which  takes  place  in  the 
conversion  of  part  of  the  metal  into  an  entirely  different  substance,  but  little 
information,  beyond  what  was  already  known,  can  be  obtained  from  these  reports. 
It  is  stated  in  the  introductory  one,  before  the  result  of  the  experiments  was 
ascertained,  as  a  fact,  first  obserA^ed  by  Dr.  Priestley,  that  cast-iron  being 
immersed  in  sea  water  for  a  length  of  time  has  its  metal  wholly  removed,  and 
becomes  changed  into  a  substance  analogous  to  plumbago,  mixed  with  oxide 
of  iron,  which  frequently,  though  not  invariably,  possesses  the  property  of 
heating  and  inflaming  spontaneously,  on  exposure  to  air ;  but  that  it  is  yet 
by  no  means  clear,  how  it  is  produced,  what  is  its  precise  composition,  and 
to  what  is  owing  its  rise  of  temperature  on  exposure  to  air  ;  that  malleable 
iron,  under  circumstances  but  little  understood,  is  also  subject  to  this  change ; 
and  also  from  various  statements  of  others,  it  would  seem  that  both  malleable 
and  cast-iron  are  affected  in  the  same  way,  when  immersed  in  water  holding  in 
solution  alkaline  or  earthy  salts  or  acids. 

The  subsequent  experiments  throw  no  new  light  on  the  cause  and  nature  of  this 
singular  phenomenon.  They  show,  however,  that  the  same  effect  is  produced  by 
the  action  of  air  and  fresh  water ;  and  this  is  too  well  corroborated  by  our  own 
experience. 

In  regard  to  the  opinion  expressed  by  M.  Vicat,  that  the  tubercles  at  Grenoble 
were  stationary,  he  remarks,  that  it  must  be  obvious  that  the  rate  of  increment 
of  these  must  be  a  decreasing  one  ;  but  that  he  does  not  perceive  anything  to  set 
a  limit  to  their  accretion,  except  the  stoppage  of  corrosive  action.  Mr.  Mallet 
considers  that  in  tubercular  corrosion,  the  whole  of  the  rust  which  has  taken 
place,  at  every  point,  is  transferred  to  one  or  more  particular  points,  and  thus 
forms  the  projecting  tubercles,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  surface  bare.  The 
sole  essential  circumstance  to  tubercular  corrosion,  he  states  to  be  the  want  of 
homogeneity,  in  the  metal  corroded  ;  and  he  therefore  controverts  the  opinion 
of  M.  Payen,  before  cited,  that  the  cause  of  the  phenomenon  is  partly  to  be 
attributed  to  a  slight  alkaline  reaction  of  the  corroding  water.  This  peculiar 
effect,  too,  is  confined  to  chilled  or  unequally  cooled  cast-iron,  to  mottled  iron, 
and  to  damasked  wrought-iron,  or  that  of  mixed  constitution  ;  and  in  all,  it 
appears  to  result  from  heterogeneity  of  composition,  and  it  is  therefore  unne- 
cessary to  call  in,  to  aid  the  explanation,  the  preservative  action  of  alkaline 
solutions. 

The  important  problem  of  preventing  the  corrosive  action  of  the  water,  by 


156  [1852. 

coating  the  interior  surface  of  the  pipe,  was  a  principal  object  of  Mr.  Mallet's 
experiments.  He  did  not,  however,  discover  any  thing  which  would  have  the 
desired  elTect.  Often  kinds  of  paints  and  varnishes,  laid  on  with  great  care,  not 
one  would  completel}^  prevent  corrosion  for  a  single  year  —  or  remain  perfectly 
adherent  or  undecomposed  for  that  time.  With  regard  to  M.  Vicat's  proposi- 
tion, previously  stated,  (in  the  Comptes  Bendus,  v.  3d,  p.  181,)  of  coating  the 
pipes  with  hydraulic  cement,  he  thinks  that  though  this  would  no  doubt  for  a 
time  diminish  corrosive  action,  it  is  much  to  be  feared  it  could  have  but  little 
pennanence,  when  the  current  was  rapid,  and,  should  the  water  contain  much 
earthy  matter,  the  tendency  of  this  to  deposit  and  adhere  to  the  pipes,  must  be 
fatally  increased. 

The  various  results  of  Mr.  Mallet's  experiments  are  exhibited  in  a  full  series 
of  tables,  which  present  to  the  Engineer,  as  he  thinks,  "  sufficient  data  to  enable 
him  to  predict  the  term  of  durability,  and  allow  for  the  loss  by  corrosion  of  iron 
in  all  conditions,  when  entering  into  his  structures." 

The  last  information,  to  which  we  shall  refer  on  this  subject,  is  contained  in  a 
paper  on  Tubercles  in  Iron  Pipes,  by  M.  Gaudin,  Engineer  of  Bridges  and  Roads^ 
published  in  the  Annates  des  Fonts  et  Chaussees,  for  November  and  December 
1851.  He  states  that  the  iron  conduit  at  Cherbourg,  constructed  between  the 
years  1836  and  1838,  of  white  casting,  about  2460  metres  (nearly  IJ  miles) 
long,  had  become  everywhere  coated  with  tubercles,  which,  in  some  places,  had  an 
elevation  of  from  4  to  5  centimetres,  (1.575  to  1.968  inches,)  so  that  the  orifice 
of  the  pipe  which  was,  when  laid,  18  centimetres  (about  7  inches)  in  diameter, 
had  been  reduced  to  less  than  one-third  its  original  section.  The  consequence  of 
the  diminution  of  the  orifice,  joined  to  the  enormous  loss  of  head  occasioned  by 
the  additional  friction,  had  deprived  many  of  the  workshops  at  the  end  of  the 
conduit  of  a  supply,  prevented  the  simultaneous  playing  of  the  fountains,  and 
made  the  supply  of  the  grand  Reservoir  impossible,  or  very  feeble. 

The  tubercles  were  very  broad  at  their  base,  and  very  strongly  adhering  to  the 
surface  of  the  pipe,  and  could  not  be  removed,  except  by  heating  the  pipe  to  a 
red  heat,  or  by  a  forcible  action  of  an  instrument.  They  were  of  a  greenish 
brown  color,  and  testaceous  structure,  and,  on  exposure  to  the  air,  assumed  the 
color  of  yellow  ochre,  a  sure  sign  of  the  oxidation  of  part  of  the  iron  which 
entered  into  their  composition.  Their  density  was  almost  3.362.  A  chemical 
analysis  gave  the  following  results  :  — 

Peroxide  of  iron,  96  to  98. 

Silex  and  Alumine  (argil)  4  to  2. 

Chloride  of  Sodium  —  traces. 

Sulphate  of  Iron  —  traces. 

They  were,  therefore,  almost  entirely  free  from  (at  least  as  far  as  regards  the 
iron  which  they  contained)  the  elementary  matters  contained  in  the  water  in  solu- 
tion ;  and,  indeed,  they  were  not  derived  from  substances  which  it  could  hold  in 


1852.]  157 

solution.  The  water  was  free  from  color,  taste  or  smell,  and  its  specific  gravity 
nearly  that  of  pure  water.     It  showed,  on  analysis  by  chemical  tests, 

A  very  small  quantity  of  carbonic  acid. 

A  small  quantity  of  calcareous  earth, 

A  small  quantity  of  sulphate  of  soda. 

A  positive  quantity  of  chloride  of  soda. 

Little  or  none  of  the  metallic  salts. 

And  little  or  no  iron. 

A  more  recent  analysis  of  the  water,  taken  before  its  passage  through'  the 
Conduit,  showed  its  density  to  be  scarcely  difierent  from  distilled  water ;  to  rea- 
gents it  only  showed  chlorides,  and  those,  chlorides  of  sodium ;  there  was  no 
trace  of  lime,  nor  sulphates,  nor  iron. 

He  considered  it  certain,  that  the  iron  in  the  tubercles  was  to  be  attributed 
exclusively  to  an  alteration  which  had  taken  place  in  the  pipes  themselves,  no 
matter  what  the  casting  might  be,  whether  white  or  gray.  And  as,  notwithstand- 
ing this  alteration,  there  could  not  be  seen  in  the  pipe,  even  with  a  glass,  after  it 
had  been  well  rubbed,  any  difference  between  its  texture  and  that  of  new  casting, 
he  concludes  that  the  deterioration  must  have  taken  place  over  the  whole  surface 
indiscriminately,  in  the  same  way.  He  calculates  that  the  greatest  thickness  of 
the  layer  which  could  have  been  thus  removed  in  thirteen  years  was  0.0025 
metre  (0.0098  inch)  ;  or  0.0002  (0.00075  inch)  annually. 

In  reference  to  the  obtaining  some  remedy  for  the  evil,  he  observes,  that  waters 
the  most  pure  and  most  proper  for  the  ordinary  necessities  of  life  afford  no 
exemption,  since  it  appears  invariable  that  the  tubercles  are  in  an  especial  man- 
ner developed  by  the  presence  of  very  small  quantities  of  sea  salt,  which  almost 
all  waters  contain.  And  that  chemists  and  engineers  have  therefore  recom- 
mended the  forcing  of  linseed  oil  by  great  pressure  into  the  metal,  and  also  coat- 
ings of  mortars  and  hydraulic  cements  and  bituminous  coverings.  There  was  a 
great  limit,  however,  to  the  elBcac}^  of  all  of  them.  At  Cherbourg,  pipes  which 
had  been  laid  down  not  more  than  three  years  previous,  and  which  had  had  lin- 
seed oil  forced  into  them  by  hydraulic  pressure,  ah'eady  showed  traces  of  tubercles, 
some  ofwhich  had  attained  an  elevation  of  4  and  5  millimetres  (0.157  to0.197inch). 

Coatings  of  mortars  and  hydraulic  cements  cannot  be  applied  without  great 
difficulty,  and  must  be  in  very  thin  layers ;  and  the  whole  surface  is  therefore  not 
covered,  leaving  points  where  the  tubercles  are  developed.  Bituminous  coatings 
could  indeed  be  applied  by  immersion  in  hot  baths  composed  of  those  substances , 
but  these  means,  if  efficacious  for  a  time,  must  have  their  limit,  when  the  friction 
of  the  water  shall  have  worn  away  the  thin  covering  ;  and  then  the  same  difficulty 
would  be  felt  as  before.  (See  page  220,  for  the  experience  of  bituminous  coating 
in  Cochituate  Pipes.)  He  thinks,  therefore,  that  the  only  means  on  which  could 
be  placed  a  hope  of  certain  preservation  of  the  iron,  would  consist  in  the  discov- 
ery of  some  compensating  agent  against  the  magnetic  or  chemical  action  which 
causes  the  formation   or  development  of  the  tubercles,  and  that  the  agent  era- 


158  [1852. 

plo^-ed  should  not  affect  the  qualitj'^  of  the  wntcr,  and  that  its  application  should  be 
simple  and  not  expensive.  Such  an  agent,  however,  had  not  been  discovered.  Mr. 
Gaudin  then  proceeds  to  describe  his  mode  of  removing  the  accretions  by  mechan- 
ical means  from  time  to  time  when  it  should  be  necessary.  A  description  of  the 
process  will  be  found  in  the  report  of  the  City  Engineer,  1852.  p.  1G6.  Seep.  183. 

The  foregoing  statement  contains  a  very  brief  analysis  of  the  investigations 
which  have  been  made,  in  other  places,  of  the  nature,  origin,  and  mode  of  reme- 
dying the  evils  now  under  consideration,  so  far  as  they  have  come  to  our  knowl- 
edge. We  annex  to  it  the  able  and  interesting  communications  of  Professor 
Horsford,  and  refer  to  the  report  of  the  City  Engineer,  to  show  the  extent  of  our 
own  experience  in  relation  to  them. 

It  has  been  hoped  that  by  bringing  to  the  notice  of  the  Council  all  the  facts 
which  we  have  been  able  to  accumulate,  and  offering  even  an  imperfect  sketch 
of  the  researches  made  on  the  subject,  we  might  enlist  the  attention  not  only  of 
those  who  are  similarly  interested  with  ourselves,  but  also  of  men  of  science, 
and  of  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  production  of  the  metal  itself,  or  in 
the  great  variety  of  manufactures  and  constructions  in  which  iron  is  emploj^ed. 
And  that  if  this  object  could  be  effected,  it  might  be  the  means  of  ascer- 
taining hereafter  some  mode  either  of  preventing  the  evil  in  its  origin  by 
improvements  in  the  castings,  or  of  arresting  or  retarding  its  further  progress  by 
the  intervention  of  some  preparation  for  covering  and  protecting  the  surface  ; 
or,  of  obtaining  a  temporary  remedj'^  by  providing  a  mode  of  removing  the 
obstructions  as  they  from  time  to  time  appear. 

Undoubtedly,  the  most  important  change  which  takes  place  on  the  inner  surface 
of  the  pipes,  as  far  as  relates  to  any  immediate  results,  is  the  production  of  the 
accretions.  The  formation  of  plumbago  or  something  like  it,  in  the  place  of  the 
iron  which  has  been  absorbed,  does  not  indeed  protect  the  metal  beneath  it,  and 
the  action  continues,  perhaps  even  with  a  slightly  accelerated  force ;  but,  accord- 
ing to  the  French  and  English  authorities,  its  progress  is  so  slow  that  many  years 
must  elapse  before  any  serious  consequences  from  it  alone  would  be  likely  to  liap- 
pen.  It  is  probable  that  the  only  way  to  prevent  this  action  will  be  found,  in 
coating  the  surface  with  some  composition  which  will  shield  it.  We  cannot  an- 
ticipate what  success  may  attend  future  attempts  to  discover  such  a  composi- 
tion ;  up  to  the  present  time,  we  believe,  they  have  all  been  quite  fruitless. 

But,  with  regard  to  the  accretions,  their  growth  has  been  more  rapid  and 
important,  so  much  so,  that  our  36-inch  and  30-inch  mains  have  become  already, 
in  consequence  of  the  actual  diminution  of  their  area  and  also  of  the  additional 
friction  which  has  been  occasioned,  scarcely  superior  in  capacity  to  those  of  34 
and  28  inches,  having  a  clean  surface  ;  and  we  have  had  sufficient  experience  on 
the  subject  to  convince  us  of  the  impolicy  of  making  use  of  wrought-iron  service- 
pipes  at  all,  or  of  cast-iron  ones,  of  less  than  4  inches  in  diameter. 

We  cannot  indeed,  at  present  feel  any  certainty  as  to  the  extent  to  which  the 
tubercles  will  ultimately  increase,  and  think  there  is  some  prospect  that  they 


Sivalve  I 


(Mmo 


M 


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w 


K- 


-^<^ 


Microscopic  delineations  of  org-anisms  foLind  in  \ihe  octireous  deposit 
on  tlie  interior    surface  of  the  Iron  Pipes. 


1852.]  159 

may  become  stationary,  or  at  least  have  their  progress  much  retarded.  As  their 
origin  is,  however,  attributed  by  the  English  authorities  solely  to  the  constitution 
of  the  iron  itself,  and  by  the  French,  and  to  some  extent  b}^  Professor  Horsford, 
partially  to  the  same  cause,  it  is  possible  that  improvements  may  be  made  in  the 
manufacture  of  the  metal,  or  the  casting,  by  which  it  may  be  rendered  more 
homogeneous,  and  their  formation  be  thus  prevented ;  and,  in  the  mean  time, 
reference  may  be  had  to  this  quality  of  the  metal  in  selecting  the  castings, 
whenever  it  shall  be  possible. 

It  is  the  intention  of  Professor  Horsford,  if  he  can  do  it  consistently  with  the 
performance  of  his  other  duties,  shortly  to  obtain  an  analysis  of  the  iron,  from 
our  own  pipes,  where  an  unlike  tendency  to  accretions  is  noticed  ;  which  may 
throw  some  light  on  the  point  of  homogeneity. 


FIRST  REPORT  OF  PROFESSOR  HORSFORD. 

Cambridge,  Jan.  14th,  1852. 
Thos.  Wetmore,  Esq., 

President  of  the  Cochituate   Water  Board. 

Dear  Sir,  —  In  reply  to  your  favor  of  the  5th  instant,  in  relation  to  the  accre- 
tions in  the  Cochituate  iron  mains,  I  have  to  regret  that  my  investigations  thus 
far  have  thrown  but  little  light  upon  the  question  of  most  importance  ;  to  wit, 
Hoiv  far  will  these  accretions  extend  f 

A  brief  statement  of  the  present  condition  of  the  pipes  will  show  the  bearing 
of  this  inquiry. 

At  the  two  points  near  Dover  Street,  where  one  of  the  main  u'on  pipes  was 
taken  up  for  repairs  in  the  last  autumn,  there  were  found,  upon  the  interior  surface 
of  the  pipe,  nodules  varying  from  half  an  inch  to  three  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
base,  and  having  a  height  of  from  one-quarter  to  a  little  more  than  half  of  an  inch. 
Some  of  them  were  of  a  reddish,  others  of  a  dirty  yellow  color,  and  those  of 
each  color  invariably  in  a  group  by  themselves.  They  presented  concentric 
structure  within,  and  rested  in  many  cases  upon  slightly  elevated  portions  of  the 
surface  of  the  pipe.  These  elevated  portions  were  co-extensive  with  the  inferior 
surface  of  the  nodules,  were  of  a  dark  brown  color,  and  crumbled  at  once  to 
powder  upon  being  scratched  with  a  knife. 

Portions  of  the  surface  of  some  sections  of  pipe  were  quite  free  from  accre- 
tions. In  some  areas,  the  accretions  were  small ;  in  others,  most  were  large. 
There  seemed  to  be  no  tendency  among  them  to  gather  upon  the  bottom  rather 
than  upon  the  top  and  sides. 

Upon  placing  one  of  these  nodules  in  warm  hydrochloric  acid,  the  reddish  and 
yellow  part  dissolved  to  a  dark  red  solution,  leaving  a  white  jelly-like  residue, 
which,  under  the  microscope,  appeared  an  amorphous  inorganic  mass.    Chemically 


160  [1852. 

examined,  the  latter  proved  to  be  silica,  and  the  red  solution,  iron.     A  quantita- 
tive analysis  of  the  whole,  gave 

Peroxide  of  iron, =:  91.74  per  cent. 

Silica, =    1,28    "       " 

Water,  trace  of  organic  matter,  and  loss,  .         .         =r    6.98    "       " 


100.00 

The  3-ellow  nodules,  upon  being  heated,  became  red.  As  all  the  nodules  had 
been  subjected  to  heat  in  melting  out  the  lead  connections  between  the 
sections  of  pipe,  it  was  evident  that  the  difference  in  color  was  to  be  ascribed 
solely  to  the  unequal  heat  to  which  the  red  and  yellow  nodules  had  been  exposed. 
This  explained  the  occurrence  in  such  well  defined  gi'oups,  of  the  nodules  of 
either  color. 

The  suggestion  that  the  accretions  might  be  due  to  the  growth  of  some  kind 
of  vegetation,  in  which  were  lodged  particles  of  the  ochreous  matter  in  suspen- 
sion in  small  quantity  in  the  Cochituate  water,  and  which  gives  to  it,  its  occa- 
sional faint  wine  color,  which  is  found  on  the  bottom  of  the  tunnel,  and  which 
accumulates  in  the  filters,  was  not  sustained  by  microscopic  examination.  The 
ochrey  deposit  is  composed  of  organisms,  of  which  the  accompanying  card  con- 
tains several  of  the  best  defined  and  more  remarkable  forms.*  Of  these,  only  an 
occasional  one  is  found  in  the  accretions. 

There  are  reasons  for  believing  the  slight  elevations  of  surface  observed  imme- 
diately beneath  the  accretions  to  be  due  to  changes  in  the  texture  of  the  iron 
arising  from  the  growth  of  the  accretion,  and  not  to  an  original  irregularity  of 
the  casting  ;  and  further,  for  believing  that  the  accretions  are  indebted  for  their 
iron  to  the  surface  upon  which  they  rest,  and  not  at  all,  or  but  very  slightly,  to 
the  water  which  flows  over  them. 

I  have  wrought  iron  pipes  of  IJ  inches  calibre,  which  are  coated  with  accre- 
tions interiorly,  and  which,  in  twelve  months,  have  been  eaten  through  from 
within  outward,  by  the  circulation  of  cold  Cochituate  water.  I  have  others  of 
the  same  diameter,  which,  in  three  months,  have  been  eaten  through  by  the 
circulation  of  hot  Cochituate  water. 

I  have  another  pipe,  one  inch  in  diameter,  which  in  twelve  months  was  so 
nearly  closed  by  accretions  throughout  its  entire  length,  that  it  was  removed 
because  it  ceased  to  serve  water. 

I  now  return  to  the  inquiry.  How  far  these  accretions  extend? 

The  inquiries  and  personal  inspection  of  the  Engineer  and  President  of  the 
Water  Board,  made  in  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  the  fruits  of 
which  have  been  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal,  have  shown  :  — 

1st.  That  similar  accretions  occur  in  the  iron  mains  of  all  the  above  named 
Cities. 


*  The  numbers  refer  to  the  ej-e  pieces  and  objective  of  the  microscope  employed,  —  an  Oberhauser  in  the 
possession  of  my  friend  and  pupil,  Mr.  John  Dean,  to  -whom  I  am  indebted  for  these  figures. 


1852.]  161 

2d.  That  in  Philadelphia,  the  accretions,  now  after  a  lapse  of  thirty-seven 
years,  are  too  inconsiderable  to  be  the  occasion  of  any  present  or  future 
solicitude. 

3d.  That  those  in  Baltimore  and  New  York,  though  somewhat  more  extensive 
than  in  Philadelphia,  are  still  so  much  inferior  in  size  and  number,  especially 
when  we  compare  the  three  years  service  of  the  Cochituate  Water  with  the  ten 
of  New  York,  and  the  still  longer  period  of  Baltimore,  that  the  indefinitely  long 
prospect  of  unobstructed  distribution  in  New  York  and  Baltimore,  based  upon 
their  experience  so  far,  does  not  throw  the  desired  light  upon  the  future  of  the 
Cochituate  iron  mains. 

One  fact,  of  particular  moment  in  this  connection,  has  come  to  my  knowledge. 
A  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance,  accustomed  to  careful  observation,  remarked 
on  a  visit  to  Versailles,  sections  of  iron  mains  of  a  foot  in  diameter,  more  than 
half  filled  with  this  kind  of  accretion.  I  hope  soon  to  hear  more  particularly 
in  regard  to  the  attendant  circumstances  of  this  case,  and  also  to  learn  more 
of  the  experience  of  the  old  world  in  the  use  of  iron  mains. 

The  solicitude  lies  in  two  directions.  In  the  first  place,  the  accretions 
diminish  the  serving  capacity.  Taking  the  present  average  thickness  of  the 
incrustation  at  three-eighths  of  an  inch,  the  serving  capacity  of  a  pipe  36  inches 
in  diameter  is  reduced  by  the  amount  of  an  area  of  42f  square  inches,  which  is 
equal  to  a  cylindrical  pipe  7.3  inches  in  diameter.  If  we  conceive  the  accretion 
to  go  uniformly  forward  at  this  rate  of  lA^  square  inches  per  annum,  it  would 
become  a  matter  of  immediate  grave  consideration.  In  the  second  place :  the 
accretions  are  formed  at  the  expense  of  the  iron  upon  which  they  rest.  With 
their  increased  thickness  will  come,  at  a  remote  period,  diminished  strength  of 
the  iron. 

I  understand  there  are  but  few  cast-iron  pipes  in  the  city  distribution,  of  less 
than  six  inches  calibre.  It  may  be  that  the  more  rapid  flow  in  these  generally, 
will  impede  the  growth  of  the  accretions.  It  may  be  that  after  the  accretions 
shall  have  coated  the  whole  interior  of  the  pipes,  and  attained  a  certain 
moderate  thickness,  their  further  growth  will  be  much  slower,  if  not  altogether 
arrested. 

With  my  present  knowledge,  I  do  not  feel  prepared  to  say  that  there  is  any 
substantial  ground  of  alarm  in  view  of  the  incrustations  upon  the  iron  mains. 
At  the  same  time,  I  cannot  aflSrm  that  there  may  not  be  some  reasonable  solici- 
tude, and  I  shall  not  fail  to  make  myself  acquainted  with  the  subject,  as  the 
illustration  goes  daily  forward  before  us,  as  well  as  with  what  has  been  elsewhere 
observed  in  the  same  field. 

I  am  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

E.  N.  HORSFORD. 
21 


162  [1852. 

SECOND  KEPORT  OF  PROFESSOR  HORSFORD. 

Cambridge,  January  IOth,  1853. 
Thomas  Wetmore,  Esq., 

President  of  the  CocJiituate  Water  Board. 

Dear  Sir,  —  Since  the  date  of  my  former  letter  to  you,  I  have  been  enabled, 
through  the  co-operation  of  the  City  Engineer,  to  assure  myself  of  the  steady 
growth  of  the  accretions  in  the  Cochituate  iron  mains.  Plaster  casts,  taken  in 
various  localities  and  after  unequal  times  from  the  laying  down  of  the  pipes, 
exhibit,  in  the  relative  sizes  of  the  nodules,  satisfactory  evidence  upon  this 
point. 

Some  consideration  has  been  bestowed  upon  the  various  agencies  that  have 
been  suggested,  as  operating  to  promote  the  growth  of  the  accretions.  Of  these, 
a  prorbinent  one  has  been  the  presence  of  inorganic  salts  in  the  water. 

It  might  be  presumed,  that  the  surface-water  of  a  region  of  country  which  is 
from  time  to  time  visited  by  rains,  during  the  prevalence  of  a  strong  wind  from 
the  sea,  would  contain  more  or  less  of  the  ingredients  of  sea-water.  The  rain- 
water, falling  at  Paris  and  at  all  points  to  the  eastward  as  far  as  Frankfort  on  the 
Maine,  gives  the  reactions  of  common  salt.  Farther  east,  at  Munich,  rain-water 
does  not  show  these  reactions.  The  chloride  of  sodium  and  the  other  saline  mat- 
ters of  the  ocean,  brought  by  east  winds  over  the  basin  drained  by  Cochituate 
lake,  would,  on  being  precipitated  by  rainfalls,  confer  on  the  water,  it  is  con- 
ceived, power  to  act  upon  the  iron  pipes.  But  if  we  unite  what  comes  from  this 
source  with  what  is  supplied  from  the  soil,  both  together  leave  the  Cochituate  so 
remarkablj'-  pure  that  rain-water  is  scarcely  to  be  preferred  for  any  purpose  what- 
ever ;  and  its  effect  on  iron  pipes  from  this  cause  must  be  quite  inappreciable. 
"When  we  compare  its  action  with  that  of  the  Croton  and  Schuylkill  waters,  we 
ought  to  find  the  accretions  in  number  and  size  proportionate,  in  some  degree,  to 
the  amount  of  salts  the  waters  severally  contain.     These  are  as  follows :  — 

In  one  hundred  thousand  parts. 

Croton.  Schuylkill.  Cochituate, 

Solid  residue,  18.71  9.42  5.35 

Inorganic,  11.34  7.29  2.90 

Organic,  7.37  2.13  2.45 

According  to  this  table,  and  the  view  above  expressed,  we  should  find  the  accre- 
tions, in  magnitude  and  number,  in  the  order  of  Croton,  Schuylkill  and  Co- 
chituate. 

In  reality,  no  regard  is  paid  to  this  succession.  Facts  give  Cochituate  the 
first  rank,  and  Schuylkill  the  last. 

The  above  quantities  do  not,  however,  represent  the  relative  amounts  of  Chlo- 
rides, which  are  the  more  efficient  salts  in  promoting  the  accretions.     These  are 


1852.]  163 

contained  in  the  following  proportions  :  —  (Silliman's  Report  to  Water  Commis- 
sioners .) 

Croton.  Schuylkill.              Cochituate. 

Chloride  of  Sodium,              0.167  0.147                 0.032 

"         "  Potassium,          trace  0.038 

"         "  Calcium,             0.153  0.031 

"         "  Magnesium,  0.009                 0.076 
"         "  Aluminium,       0.372 


Total,  0.692  0.156  0.177 

According  to  this  table,  the  Croton  should  stand  first,  and  the  Cochituate 
occupy  an  intermediate  rank. 

The  most  striking  peculiarity  of  the  Cochituate  water  is,  as  already  mentioned, 
its  remarkable  purity  and,  of  course,  its  superior  capacity  for  holding  air  in  solu- 
tion. From  the  well  known  joint  action  of  air  and  water  in  rusting  iron,  this 
characteristic  may  fairly  be  entitled  to  a  share  of  influence  in  promoting  the 
accretions.  That  it  is  not  the  only  or  the  most  prominent  cause,  will  be  appar- 
ent from  the  following  considerations. 

1.  Among  the  results  of  experiments  by  Meyer  (J.  Tech.  Chem.  X.  833)  are 
the  following  :  — The  rusting  is  impaired  by  the  smoothness  of  the  surface,  by 
hardness,  by  the  contact  of  zinc,  and  by  the  presence  of  carbon  as  in  cast-iron. 
It  is  promoted  by  roughness,  by  purity  of  the  metal,  and  by  the  presence  of  sul- 
phur. Payen  (Ann.  Chem.  Phys.  L.  305,)  confirmed  by  experiments  the  obser- 
vations of  Wetzlar,  that  alkaline  waters  protect  the  iron.  By  neutralizing  any 
acid  the  waters  might  contain,  and  thus  preventing  the  first  coat  of  oxide  from 
going  into  solution,  it  leaves  the  iron  protected  by  a  shield  of  its  own  rust. 
This  author  also  found,  that  the  gray  variety  of  cast-iron  oxidated  more  readily 
than  the  white.  (Ann.  Chem.  Phys.  LXIII.  405.)  These  observations  have  been 
confirmed  by  researches  undertaken  by  the  British  Association,  which  have,  I 
know,  fallen  under  your  notice. 

2.  It  was  observed  in  taking  casts  of  the  nodules,  that  areas  of  many  square 
inches  and  in  some  instances,  of  several  square  feet,  were  free  from  accretions, 
while  immediately  ai'ound,  they  were  found  in  great  profusion.  In  some  sections 
of  pipe,  only  large  nodules  had  taken  root,  and  these  were  quite  uniformly 
distributed.  In  others,  those  only  of  lesser  size  were  found,  and  they  were  quite 
closely  arranged. 

3.  In  situations,  where  other  metals  could  exercise  influence,  the  nodules  had 
been  most  manifestly  governed  in  their  position  and  number  by  the  proximity  of 
the  other  metals;  This  was  especially  apparent  in  the  well  defined  disk  of 
accretions  on  the  plain  iron  surface,  opposite  the  large  composition  circular  valves 
of  the  mains,  which  were  taken  out  for  repairs  in  the  course  of  last  year  and  the 
year  previous. 

It  is  manifest  from  the  above  considerations,  that  there  has  been  galvanic 


164  [1852. 

action,  arising  in  one  class  of  cases,  from  the  contact  of  metals  of  unlike 
affinit}'  for  oxj'^geu,  and  generally  from  a  loant  of  Jiomogeneity  of  the  iron,  and 
I  feel  strongly  induced  to  coincide  in  the  opinion,  that  to  this,  more  than  to  any 
other  agenc}^  is  to  be  ascribed  the  rapid  formation  of  accretions  in  the  Cochitnate 
iron  mains.  It  might  be  worth  while  to  see  how  far  this  view,  which  has  been 
arrived  at,  as  well  from  observations  in  the  old  world,  as  with  us,  will  be 
sustained  by  a  comparison  of  analyses  of  fair  sample  specimens  of  the  iron 
from  tlie  mains  of  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  Boston,  and  this  I  hope  to  lay 
before  j^ou  in  the  course  of  the  coming  summer. 

I  regret  that  my  health  has  been  such  during  the  last  twelve  months,  as  to 
prevent  the  more  extended  investigation  of  this  whole  subject  of  accretions  upon 
iron  mains  for  the  service  of  water,  which  I  had  projected  last  3'^ear.  I  regret 
this  the  less,  however,  since  learning  that  you  have  become  possessed  of  the 
ablest  researches  that  have  been  made  in  this  field  ;  for  I  feel  that,  however 
industriously  I  might  have  pursued  the  matter  in  developing  the  influence  of 
local  peculiarities,  I  could  scarcely  have  hoped  to  add  to  the  practical  informa- 
tion already  in  possession  of  your  office. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

E.  N.  HORSFORD. 


REPORT  OF  THE   CITY   ENGINEER. 

Brick  Aqueduct  and  Structures  between  the  Lake  and  the  Broohline  Reservoir. 

Last  Spring,  the  interior  of  the  aqueduct  received  a  thorough  cleansing  through- 
out its  whole  extent,  which  it  needed  very  much.  A  peculiar  substance,  like  very 
fine  dark  mnd,  is  deposited  upon  the  surface  of  the  brick  work,  and  adheres  for 
a  time,  but  in  consequence  of  changes  in  depth  and  velocity  of  the  current 
through  the  aqueduct,  this  substance  sometimes  comes  off  in  suflScient  quantities 
to  give  to  the  water  the  appearance  of  being  filled  with  sawdust.  In  order  to 
prevent  troublesome  accumulations  in  the  aqueduct,  and  particularly  in  the 
tunnels,  where  the  irregularity  of  the  sides  causes  an  unusual  amount  of  deposit, 
it  is  necessary'  to  cleanse  it  out,  partially  at  least,  twice  a  year.  Last  spring,  a 
number  of  bunches  of  extremely  attenuated  and  delicate  roots  were  discovered 
hanging  from  the  top  and  sides  of  the  aqueduct  between  the  Newton  and  the 
Brookline  Tunnels.  In  some  instances  they  were  three  or  four  feet  long,  but  so 
tender  as  to  break  with  the  slightest  force,  and  of  course,  very  easy  to  remove. 

In  the  autumn,  a  great  many  patches,  in  some  cases  larger  than  the  crown  of  a 
man's  hat,  of  a  vegetable  substance  like  sponge  in  color  and  texture,  and  fre- 
quently witli  coral-shaped  branches  several  inches  in  length,  were  discovered  in 
the  first  mile  of  the  aqueduct,  being  most  numerous  near  the  Lake.     They  were 


1852.]  165 

very  tender,  and  easy  to  rerpove.  It  is  a  little  singular  that  this  should  be  the 
first  instance  of  discovering  them  in  the  aqueduct,  as  precisely  the  same  species 
of  plants,  apparently,  was  discovered  in  the  large  stopcocks  that  were  taken  out 
of  the  pipe  in  Tremont  at  the  head  of  Dover  Street,  to  be  repaired,  more  than  a 
year  ago. 

The  rapidity  with  which  the  interior  surfaces  of  some  of  the  pipes  have  become 
covered  with  tubercles  or  rust,  has  excited  a  great  deal  of  interest,  and  has  been 
the  subject  of  much  observation  ;  but  the  cause  of  such  a  wide  difference  in  the 
growth  of  these  tubercles  in  different  pipes,  and  in  different  places,  does  not 
appear  to  be  clearly  understood.  All  the  large  pipes  that  have  been  opened 
have  been  partially  or  entirely  covered  on  their  inner  surfaces,  some  with 
detached  tubercles,  varying  from  a  half  to  two  and  a  half  inches  base,  with  a 
depth  or  thickness  in  the  middle,  of  from  one  quarter  to  three-quarters  of  an  inch  ; 
and  some  entirely,  to  an  average  depth  of  half  an  inch,  with  a  rough  coating,  as 
if  the  bases  of  the  tubercles  had  crowded  together.  The  smaller  pipes  all  exhibit 
some  action  of  this  kind,  but  generally  to  a  less  extent,  as  regards  thickness, 
than  the  larger  ones.  In  one  case,  however,  a  four-inch  pipe  was  found  covered 
to  a  thickness  of  about  one  inch.  This  was  in  that  part  of  Myrtle  Street  which 
was  formerly  called  Zone  Street,  where  the  entrance  to  a  service-pipe  was  entirely 
stopped  by  rust.  "Wrought-iron  pipes  fill  much  more  rapidly  than  cast-iron  ones, 
and  in  several  instances,  service-pipes  made  of  that  metal,  have,  during  the  last 
j^ear,  become  so  obstructed  as  to  be  almost  or  quite  useless. 

The  Jamaica  Aqueduct  pipe,  which  was  originally  ten  inches  in  diameter,  has 
been,  in  some  cases  reduced  to  eight  b}^  tubercles,  which,  however,  are  different 
in  form  from  those  in  the  Cochituate  pipes.  They  appear  to  lap  over  each  other 
in  the  direction  of  the  current ;  this  is  very  strikingly  the  case  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  pipe,  as  if  their  foi-m  was  owing  in  some  measure  to  the  mechanical 
action  of  the  current. 

Knowing  that  this  subject  has  occupied  much  of  your  attention,  that  yon  have 
consulted  articles  from  various  foreign  journals  that  treat  upon  it,  and  that  Prof. 
Horsford  has  it  under  consideration,  no  discussion  upon  the  cause  or  causes  of 
these  tubercles  will  be  attempted  here.  Further  observations  appear  to  be 
necessary,  fully  to  develop  these  causes.  It  is  very  gratifying  to  know,  however, 
that  these  tubercles  may  be  removed  by  mechanical  means,  and  at  an  expense 
much  less  than  would  at  first  be  supposed.  This  has  been  fully  proved  at 
Cherbourg,  where  a  most  ingenious  contrivance,  described  in  the  Annales  des 
Fonts  et  Cliaussees  for  November  and  December,  1851,  was  used  by  M.  Gaudin, 
Engineer  of  the  Cherbourg  Water  "Works,  to  clean  out 

3,117  feet  of  9     in.  Pipe. 
1,549    "     "  7J  in.     " 
3,294    "     "  7     in.     " 
which  was  done  at  a  total  cost  of  7,853.18  francs,  or  an  average  of  about  18J 
cents  a  running  foot.     M.  Gaudin  thinks  that  the  same  apparatus  might  have 


166  [1852. 

been  used  for  a  much  greater  length  of  pipe,  and  that  the  average  cost  of  clean- 
ing others  with  it  would  have  been  only  about  11^  cents  a  foot. 

In  order  to  go  through  this  process,  the  pipes  were  opened  once  in  about  every 
180  feet,  which  it  was  thought  might  have  been  increased  to  200  feet  in  many 
cases.  The  machine,  which  was  attached  to  two  cables,  one  of  them  being 
passed  through  the  pipe  by  means  of  iron  rods,  was  formed  of  metallic  rasps 
attached  to  flexible  arms,  and  so  arranged  that  with  one  operation  they  would 
act  upon  the  whole  circumference  of  the  pipe.  B}'^  means  of  a  sliding  ring 
around  the  arms,  and  small  cords,  the  rasps  could  be  made  to  fit  a  lai-ger  or 
smaller  diameter,  which  was  necessary,  in  order  that  the  machine  might  pass 
irregularities  in  the  castings  and  particularly  the  joints,  which  sometimes  had 
protuberances  of  lead  upon  them.  It  was  pulled  backwards  and  forwards  by 
men  who  had  hold  of  the  cables,  and  who  soon  learned  to  tell  when  a  new 
adjustment  of  the  rasps  was  necessary,  which  was  easily  made  by  pulling  one  of 
the  small  cords.  Its  operation  was  so  perfect,  that  the  pipes  were  actually 
smoother  after  being  cleaned  than  when  first  laid,  as  the  projecting  lead  at  the 
joints  was  removed.  Whether  the  pipes,  after  being  cleaned  by  this  process, 
will  fill  up  in  a  longer  or  shorter  time  than  before,  has  not  yet  been  ascertained. 

Whenever  tubercles  in  the  Cochituate  pipes  have  been  removed,  there  has 
alwaj'S  been  found  under  each  isolated  one  a  central  spot  of  soft  metal,  easily  cut 
with  a  knife,  often  a  sixteenth  of  an  inch  deep,  and  from  an  eighth  to  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  across.  Under  the  whole  base  of  each  tubercle,  there  appears  to  be  a 
slight  action  upon  the  solid  metal  of  the  pipe,  but  nothing  in  comparison  with  that 
at  the  central  portion.  The  Jamaica  pipe,  which  has  been  laid  about  fifteen  years, 
shows  a  much  greater  amount  of  action  of  this  kind  ;  but  it  does  not  appear  to 
be  confined  to  central  spots,  being  more  uniformly  spread  over  the  surface,  as  the 
oxidated  coating  itself  is.  A  specimen  of  this  pipe,  taken  from  a  point  where  it 
was  scarcely  an  eighth  of  an  inch  thick,  and  where  it  burst,  showed  considerable 
action  from  a  salt  marsh  on  the  outside,  and  also  about  the  same  amount  from 
some  cause  within,  both  of  which  had  reduced  its  specific  gravity,  as  ascertained 
at  Dr.  Jackson's  office,  to  5.129,  showing  a  loss  of  about  29  per  cent  of  the 
original  weight  of  the  metal. 

The  City  Engineer  mentions  also  in  this  Report  another  matter  of  practical 
importance.  He  says :  "After  the  great  fire  which  destroyed  Ohickering's 
building,  it  was  mentioned  in  some  of  the  papers,  and  currently  reported,  that 
the  hydrants  had  failed  to  supply  water  in  as  great  a  quantity  and  at  as  high 
a  level  as  was  expected.  No  one  familiar  with  the  laws  of  the  flow  of  water 
through  pipes  could  be  at  all  surprised  at  such  a  result.  This  matter  was 
understood,  not  only  theoretically  but  practically,  before  the  Boston  Water 
Works  were  commenced,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  statement  from  the 


1852.]  167 

first  report  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  for  inquiry  into  tlie  state  of  the 
large  towns  and  populous  districts  in  England,  part  1st,  page  316  : — 

'  Result  of  Experiments  made  on  the  31si  of  January,  1844,  to  ascertain  the 
Height  that  a  Jet  of  Water  will  rise  from  the  Mains  and  Services  belonging  to  the 
Southwark  Water  Company,  under  a  fixed  pressure  of  120  feet. 

'  The  first  trial  was  made  in  Union  Street,  between  High  Street  and  Gravel 
Lane,  Boi'ough,  over  an  extent  of  800  yards  of  7-inch  main,  and  through  the  fire 
brigade  stand-pipes,  hose  and  jets. 

'  This  7-inch  main  is  connected  to  the  9-inch  main  in  High  street,  Borough, 
which,  after  a  run  of  500  yards,  is  joined  to  200  yards  of  12-inch  main,  and  then 
continued  by  550  yards  of  15-inch  main  to  the  great  main  leading  from  the  Com- 
pany's works  at  Battersea,  making  a  total  distance  of  5,500  yards  from  the  place 
where  the  experiment  is  made. 

'  One    2h,  inch  stand-pipe,  with  40  feet  hose  and  7-8  inch  jet,  rose  50  feet. 


Two   2h 

"    40 

"     7-8 

"     45 

Three  2^ 

"    40 

'     7-8 

'           "     40 

Four  2h. 

"    40 

'     7-8 

'           "     35 

Five   2i 

"    40 

'     7-8 

"     30 

Six     2h 

"    40 

'     7-8 

'           "     27 

♦  Then  all  the  fire-plugs  on  the  main  were  closed  except  the  first,  and  one  2^ 
inch  stand-pipe,  with  160  feet  of  hose,  and  a  7-8-inch  jet,  rose  40  feet. 

'The  second  trial  was  in  Tooley  Street,  off  a  9-inch  main,  1,400  yards  in 
length,  connected  to  1,000  yards  of  15-inch,  and  6,650  yards  from  the  works. 

*  One    2h.  inch  stand-pipe,  40  feet  hose,  7-8  inch  jet,  rose  60  feet. 
Two  2i     "  "  40        '•  7-8        "        difference  not  perceptible. 

Four2i     "  "  40        "  7-8        "        rose  45  feet. 

Six    2h     "  "  40        "  7-8         "  "     40     " 

'  Four-inch  service  in  Tooley  Street,  200  yards  long,  supplied  through  200 
yards  of  5-inch  pipe,  from  9-inch  main ;  one  2^-inch  stand-pipe,  fixed  on  the 
4-inch  service  near  the  5-inch  pipe,  with  40  feet  of  hose  7-8-inch  jet,  rose  40  feet ; 
two  2J-inch  stand-pipes,  7-8-inch  jet,  rose  31  feet. 

'  One  2^-inch  stand-pipe  fixed  at  end  of  service. 

'  200  yards  from  5-inch  pipe,  40  feet  of  hose,  7-8-inch  jet,  rose  34  feet. 
The  2.^-inch  stand-pipe,        40        "  7-8  "        "    23     " 

'  Seventy  years  ago,  Dubuat's  experiments  showed  how  greatly  the  lengthening 
of  a  small  pipe  would  diminish  the  force,  and  consequently  the  amount  of  dis- 
charge tlu-ough  it.  An  ordinary  fire  hose  may  be  considered  the  same  as  a  small 
pipe,  and  as  all  but  one  or  two  hydrants  are  necessarily  several  hundred  feet  from 
any  single  building,  the  loss  of  velocity  experienced  by  the  water  passing  through 
the  hose  must  be  considerable.  The  Chief  Engineer  says  that  he  can  throw  from 
the  Hydrants  alone,  without  any  engine,  a  stream  over  any  private  dwelling  on 
Harrison  Avenue ;  but  this  cannot  be  done  in  higher  parts  of  the  City  and  on 


168  [1853. 

higher  buildings,  nor  could  it  ever  have  reasonably  been  expected.  The  very- 
tall  buildiugs  recently  erected  in  comparatively  low  parts  of  the  city  can  never 
have  their  highest  stories  protected  from  fire,  by  the  simple  pressure  of  the 
Cochituate  water  through  hose  :  it  must  be  forced  up  by  means  of  engines.' " 

lu  the  same  Report,  under  the  head  of  "  Stopcocks,"  the  Engineer  says : 
"  A  very  important  change  was  made,  by  removing  the  five  large  stopcocks 
on  Tremont  Street,  from  near  the  Roxbury  line  to  the  line  of  Chester  Street, 
at  Chickering's  Factory,  where,  after  having  been  thoroughly  repaired  and 
fitted  with  bevel  gear,  they  were  placed  horizontally  and  enclosed  in  a  sub- 
stantial stone  chamber.  The  necessity  and  importance  of  this  change  proved 
to  be  greater  than  was  at  first  supposed ;  as  two  of  the  stopcocks,  when 
taken  out,  were  entirely  unfit  for  service,  and  two  others  could  not  have  been 
used  tw^ice  more,  in  consequence  of  the  composition  facings  of  the  valves  get- 
ting loose.  Their  original  location  was  such,  that  the  settling  and  vibration 
of  that  part  of  the  Tremont  Road  caused  them  to  get  out  of  repair  quite 
often,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  without  the  change  made,  they 
would  have  given  serious  trouble  the  present  winter." 

1853. 

On  January  11th,  1853,  the  City  Council  passed  an  Order  authorizing  the 
Cochituate  Water  Board  to  assess  Water  rates  on  all  the  Public  Buildings : 
previous  to  the  passage  of  this  order,  they  had  been  supplied  free. 

January  26th,  the  waste  of  water  being  on  the  increase,  the  Water  Registrar 
was  directed,  and  given  full  power  to  commence  an  examination  of  the  places 
and  causes  of  waste  throughout  the  City,  and  to  employ  persons  for  that  pur- 
pose. This  order  was  immediately  carried  into  effect,  and  a  large  number  of 
persons  were  fined.  The  Board,  however,  did  not  consider  that  the  fine  was 
sufficient  to  prevent  waste,  and  therefore  sent  a  communication  to  the  City 
Council,  recommending  that  they  take  measures  to  make  the  waste  of  water 
a  penal  offence.  This  communication  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Water,  who  reported  that  it  was  inexpedient,  as  it  would  be  very  annoying  to 
consumers  to  be  arraigned  before  the  Police  Court  for  the  delinquency  of  their 
servants. 

Complaints  having  been  made  that  water  was  shut  off  from  the  mains  with- 
out giving  notice,  it  was  voted  that  the  President  be  requested  to  give  public 
notice,  that  the  Board  do  not  consider  the  City  liable  for  any  damages  that 
may  Ijc  occasioned  by  shutting  off  water  at  any  time  and  without  notice ;  but 
that  notice  will  be  given  as  heretofore,  whenever  practicable. 


1854]  169 

The  Annual  election  of  the  Water  Board  took  place  April  25th,  1853,  when 
the  following  persons  were  chosen  : 

Thomas  Wetmore,  Henry  B.  Rogers, 

John  H.  Wilkins,  Adam  W.  Thaxter,  Jr., 

Jonathan  Preston,  Sampson  Reed, 

Thomas  Sprague. 

On  the  27th,  they  met  for  organization,  when  Thomas  Wetmore  was  elected 
President,  and  Samuel  Holbrook,  Clerk. 

During  tliis  year,  no  action  of  importance  took  place ;  several  changes  in 
the  Ordinance  were  made.  The  most  important  change  was  the  discontinuing 
the  use  of  hand  hose  in  stables. 

October  10th,  1853,  J.  Avery  Richards  was  elected  Water  Registrar  by  the 
City  Council.     The  new  stable  was  built  in  the  Pipe-yard,  on  Federal  Street. 

An  offer  of  $28,000  was  made  by  Eliphalet  Baker,  for  the  purchase  of  the 
Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  property,  which  was  referred  to  the  City  Council, 
who  passed  an  order  giving  the  Board  full  power,  whereupon  they  voted  that 
it  was  inexpedient  to  accept  the  offer  of  Mr.  Baker. 

To  the  Annual  Report  for  this  year,  1853,  is  annexed  another  Communica- 
tion from  Professor  Horsford  on  the  subject  of  the  Accretions  on  the  Iron 
pipes.  He  gives  no  opinion,  as  his  investigations  were  not  concluded; 
but  his  letter  contains  a  great  deal  of  information  on  the  subject.    Seep.  162. 

1854. 

During  the  month  of  January,  1854,  the  waste  of  water  increased  to  such 
an  extent,  that  night,  as  well  as  day  Inspectors  were  appointed ;  and  the  citi- 
zens were  notified  that  in  all  cases  where  waste  was  discovered,  the  water 
would  be  immediately  shut  off;  and,  on  February  1st,  the  Water  Registrar 
was  directed  to  publish,  from  day  to  day,  the  number  of  places  of  waste 
reported,  with  the  statement  that  they  would  be  shut  off  as  fast  as  the  men 
employed  could  do  it. 

February  1st,  the  City  Engineer  was  instructed  to  report  to  the  Board, 
upon  the  expediency  of  uniting  the  two  main  water  pipes  for  the  general  sup- 
ply of  the  City ;  the  height  of  flow  which  may  be  relied  upon,  should  such  a 
connection  be  formed ;  and  the  line  of  district  above  such  point  of  union,  which 
would  require  to  be  supplied  by  artificial  means.  Also,  the  cost  of  discon- 
necting this  service  from  the  other  parts  of  the  City  distribution,  and  the 
probable  expense  of  necessary  apparatus  for  raising  a  sufficient  amount  of 

22 


170  [1854. 

water  to  keep  a  uniform  supply  at  tlie  maximum  height ;  the  cost  of  laying 
another  main  from  Brookline  Reservoir,  specifying  the  cost  of  a  3G-inch 
and  of  a  30-inch  main ;  and  the  practicability  of  supplying  meters  to  each 
water  taker,  vrith  the  cost  of  the  same. 

The  Report  of  the  Engineer  on  these  subjects  cannot  be  found,  and  it  is 
doubtful  if  he  made  one,  as  the  water  in  the  lake  rose  very  rapidly  after  this 
vote  was  passed. 

The  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board  occurred  on  March  27th,  1854, 
when  the  following  persons  were  chosen. 

Thomas  Wetmore,  John  H.  Wilkins, 

Henry  B.  Rogers,  '  Thomas  Sprague, 

Adam  W.  Thaxter,  Jr.,  William  Washburn, 

Samuel  Hatch. 

And,  on  April  26th,  they  met  for  organization,  when  Thomas  Wetmore  was 
re-elected  President,  and  Samuel  Holbrook,  Clerk. 

During  the  month  of  April,  the  Ordinance  providing  for  the  assessment  of 
the  water  rates  on  the  Public  Buildings  was  repealed,  and  an  Order  was 
passed  that  non-residents  supplied  with  Cochituate  water,  should  be  charged 
the  regular  rates,  and  also  a  proper  proportion  of  the  whole  annual  cost  of 
interest  and  expenses  incurred  by  the  City  for  the  works. 

May  24th,  Eliphalet  Baker  made  an  offer  of  $27,500  for  the  Jamaica  Pond 
Aqueduct  property,  which  was  refused;  and,  on  the  31st,  he  offered  $30,000, 
which  was  also  refused. 

The  trial  of  the  case  of  Whipple  vs.  City  of  Boston,  for  damages  for  divert- 
ing the  water  of  Lake  Cochituate  from  Concord  river,  took  place  in  the  month 
of  June.  As  this  was  the  test  trial  for  several  claims  made,  it  was  one  of 
great  interest  to  the  City. 

The  Water  Board,  in  their  annual  Report,  in  speaking  of  these  claims,  says  : 
"  The  Water  Board  have  at  last  the  pleasure  of  being  able  to  state  that  the 
only  outstanding  claims  for  damages,  occasioned  by  the  original  construction 
of  the  Water  Works,  have  been  finally  settled  by  the  adjustment  which  has 
been  effected  during  the  past  year,  of  those  made  by  the  mill  owners  on  Con- 
cord river,  and  by  the  Middlesex  Canal  Corporation,  for  being  deprived  of  the 
water  of  Lake  Cochituate.  These  claims  were  originally  ten  in  number,  and 
the  aggregate  amount  of  damages  sued  for  was  nearly  half  a  million  of 
dollars. 

Two  of  these  claim  suits  were  tried ;  in  one,  the  jury  could  not  agree  on  a 
verdict;  and,  in  the  other,  when  the  damage  claimed  was  $150,000,  they 


1854.]  171 

awarded  $500.  A  proposition  was  then  made  for  the  discharge  of  all  the 
claims,  and  they  were  finally  settled,  and  the  suits  discontinued,  by  the  payment 
of  the  sum  of  $6,678.90,  on  the  part  of  the  City. 

October  11th,  it  was  ordered,  that,  Mr.  Edward  F.  Knowlton,  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Brookline  Reservoir,  be  also  Superintendent  of  Charles  River  pipe 
chambers,  and  of  Lake  Cochituate,  and  perform  all  the  duties  reojiired  in 
those  ojfices,  by  the  rules  and  regulations  of  this  Board.  And,  also,  that  he 
have  the  care  and  management  of  all  the  lands  belonging  to  the  city  in  Sax- 
onville,  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Lake  and  Aqueduct,  and  not  connected 
with  the  Water  Works.  And  that  there  be  paid  to  said  Knowlton  a  compen- 
sation at  the  rate  of  $1,200  a  year,  in  full  for  all  said  duties  and  services ; 
and  that  he  be  also  allowed  the  use  of  the  house  and  land  recently  occupied 
by  the  late  Superintendent  of  the  Lake,  Mr.  Vannevar,  rent  free. 

The  said  Knowlton  to  pay,  at  his  own  cost,  all  his  own  travelling  and  other 
expenses,  and  postages,  required  in  the  performance  of  his  several  duties. 

On  November  15th,  Mr.  John  H.  Wilkins  sent  in  his  resignation,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board,  to  the  City  Council,  which  was  accepted,  and  Charles 
Stoddard  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

During  the  same  month  of  November,  on  the  22 d,  the  Board  took  posses- 
sion of  a  certain  strip  of  land  in  Osborn  Place,  belonging  to  Francis  Richards 
and  others,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  premises  of  the  Model  Lodging 
House  Association  with  water.     (See  page  275,  Water  Board  Records.) 

In  October  of  this  year,  there  was  a  sensible  deterioration  in  the  quality  of 
the  water,  which  was  a  source  of  much  annoyance.  It  "  consisted  of  a 
marked  and  peculiar  taste,  resembling,  in  the  opinion  of  some,  that  of  fish,  but 
to  a  great  majority  of  persons,  that  of  cucumbers  or  some  similar  vegetable, 
the  taste  being  sometimes  accompanied  by  a  disagreeable  smell." 

As  this  taste  continued,  and  the  Board  were  unable  to  ascertain  the  cause 
of  the  trouble,  they  employed  Messrs.  E.  N.  Horsford  and  Charles  T.  Jackson 
to  investigate  and  Report,  which  they  did  in  December  following.  (See  annual 
Report,  1854,  pages  32  to  59.)  Dr.  Jackson  closes  his  communication  thus: 
"  In  conclusion,  I  would  assure  you  and  the  citizens  of  Boston,  that  there  is 
good  reason  to  believe  that  the  unpleasant  taste  of  Cochituate  water  is  rapidly 
passing  away,  from  operations  naturally  taking  place  in  the  lake,  and  that  the 
water  will  probably  soon  be  as  good  as  ever. 

"  I  regret,  as  much  as  any  one,  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  settle  all  the 
interesting  questions  that  have  arisen,  as  to  the  origin  of  the  impurity  com- 
plained of  Thus  much  we  have  done ;  we  have  proved  that  the  peculiar  taste 
of  the  water  does  not  originate  within  the  pipes,  but  exists  at  the  fountain 


172  [1854. 

head,  and  that  it  is  not  the  result  of  animal  putrefaction,  but  of  vegetable  fer- 
mentation, and  that  there  is  nothing  deleterious  in  the  water.  These  are  some 
points  gained.  In  time,  we  may  search  out  the  other  matters,  should  the  evil 
ever  again  recur."  (City  Documents  on  the  subject  of  Water,  for  year  1852, 
Nos.  6,  24,  51,  67;  1853,  Nos.  7,  20,  74;  1854,  Nos.  11,  16,  19,  25,  82,  111; 
1855,  Nos.  9,  30,  43,  48.) 


1855.] 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

1855  TO  1858. 

Sale  of  Land  at  the  Brookline  Eeservoir  —  Petition  for  abatement  of  Eates  by  the  Boston 
Sugar  Eefinery  Co.  —  Eesignation  of  the  Water  Eegistrar  —  Election  of  his  successor 
—  Attempt  to  abolish  the  Water  Board  —  Eesignation  of  Albert  Stanwood,  and  the 
appointment  of  his  successor  —  Eesignation  of  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  and  the  appointment 
of  his  successor  —  Eesignation  of  Henry  B.  Eogers  —  Extract  on  the  bad  taste  of  the 
water,  from  the  Annual  Eeport — Election  of  Water  Board  for  1855-6  —  Their  Organiza- 
tion —  The  expediency  of  making  the  water  free,  and  of  insuring  buildings,  discussed  — 
Ee-election  of  Albert  Stanwood  and  his  acceptance  —  Decision  of  the  Supreme  Court 
in  regard  to  Taxes  —  Application  from  the  Navy  Yard  for  the  water  —  Election  of  Water 
Board  for  1856  —  Their  organization  —  Eirst  appointment  of  Standing  Committees  — 
Sale  of  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  —  Erection  of  a  new  Dam  at  the  Lake  —  Construc- 
tion; Cause  of  its  erection  —  Waste  of  Water — Act  passed  to  raise  the  Dam  at  the 
Lake  two  feet,  but  not  accepted  —  Water  Board  elected  for  1857,  and  their  organiza- 
tion —  Election  of  Superintendent  —  Third  pipe  laid  over  Charles  Eiver  Valley  —  Eeport 
on  laying  the  third  Main  —  Management  of  Water  Works  in  other  cities  —  Election  of 
Superintendent  of  Charles  Eiver  Pipe  Chamber  —  Notice  of  application  for  an  act  to 
raise  the  Dam  of  the  Lake. 

The  only  action  of  importance  by  the  Board  during  the  months  of  January, 
February  and  March,  was  the  sale  of  a  lot  of  land  situated  westerly  of  the 
Brookline  Reservoir,  containing  about  78,300  square  feet.  This  sale  was 
made  subject  to  the  following  restrictions : — 1st,  That  the  City  should  have 
the  right  at  all  times  to  enter  upon  said  land  for  the  purpose  of  altering  or 
repairing  the  Aqueduct  or  Tunnel  within  the  same,  without  being  liable  for 
trespass  or  damages. 

2d.     That  no  building  of  any  kind  should  ever  be  placed  upon  the  same. 

3d.  That  the  land  should  be  kept  in  good  order,  and  cultivated  as  a  garden 
or  farm,  or  laid  out  in  grass  and  trees. 

The  Boston  Sugar  Refinery  Co.  made  an  application  in  the  month  of  Janu- 
ary, for  an  abatement  of  the  water  rates,  on  which  subject  several  hearings 


174  [1855. 

were  had;  and,  on  the  20th  of  March,  they  had  leave  to  withdraw.  Not 
being  satisfied,  they  asked  for  another  hearing,  which  was  granted;  at  the 
meeting  appointed  for  this  purpose,  they  appeared  by  their  counsel,  Peleg  W. 
Chandler,  Esq.,  and  the  Board  voted  on  the  same  day,  that  the  Water  Regis- 
trar be  directed  to  charge  for  the  first  6000  cubic  feet  per  day,  at  the  rate  of 
two  cents  the  hundred  gallons,  and  the  balance  at  one  cent  the  hundred 
gallons,  on  condition  that  the  company  furnish  and  attach  a  meter  at  their 
own  expense,  of  such  pattern  as  should  be  approved  by  the  Water  Registrar. 

On  April  2d,  J.  Avery  Richards  sent  to  the  City  Council  hie  resignation  as 
Water  Registrar,  which  was  accepted,  and  William  P.  Davis  was  appointed  to 
fill  the  office  until  an  election  took  place.  Several  trials  were  made  to  elect  a 
person  to  fill  the  vacancy ;  the  Board  of  Aldermen  and  Council  could  not 
agree,  and  it  was  not  until  October  29th,  that  both  Boards  concurred  in  the 
election  of  Mr.  Davis. 

During  this  year,  no  Water  Board  was  elected,  and  the  old  Board  held  over. 

The  cause  of  this  was  a  movement  on  the  part  of  the  City  Council  to  abol- 
ish the  Board  altogether,  as  they  believed  that  the  works  could  be  managed 
much  more  economically  by  the  appointment  of  a  Superintendent  of  the  Water 
Department,  with  such  assistance  as  he  might  require.  This  subject  was  referred 
to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  reported  in  favor  of  it,  when  it  passed  one 
branch  of  the  City  Council,  and  was  finally  defeated  in  the  other. 

The  Supreme  Court  decided  this  year  that  all  the  lands  and  property  taken 
under  the  Water  Act,  or  purchased  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  Act, 
and  which  were  necessary  and  proper  for  the  purpose,  were  exempt  from  lia- 
bility to  taxation. 

On  account  of  a  change  made  in  the  management  of  the  Water  Works,  Mr. 
Albert  Stanwood  sent  in  his  resignation  as  Superintendent  of  Iron  Pipes  and 
the  Pipe-yard,  on  August  20th,  which  was  accepted;  but,  on  the  31st,  it  was 
reconsidered,  and  laid  on  the  table ;  and,  on  October  23d,  it  was  taken  up  and 
accepted ;  and,  on  the  30th,  Isaiah  Wadleigh  was  elected  to  fill  his  place. 

October  1st,  Mr.  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  the  City  Engineer,  sent  in  his  resigna- 
tion, which  was  accepted,  and  James  Slade  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
On  the  22d,  Mr.  Henry  B.  Rogers  sent  in  his  resignation  as  a  member  of  the 
Board. 

In  their  Annual  Report  for  the  year  1855,  in  speaking  of  the  subject  of  the 
bad  taste  of  the  water,  which  caused  so  much  anxiety  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
year  1854,  the  Board  say:  "There  has  been  no  complaint  of  any  ofiensive 
change  in  the  character  of  the  water  during  the  year,  similar  to  that  of  the  pre- 
vious one.     The  impurities  of  that  year,  so  obvious  both  to  the  taste  and 


1856.]  175 

smell,  gradually  disappeared,  and  were  not  perceived  anywhere,  about  the 
middle  of  February,  leaving  their  cause  and  origin  in  entire  obscurity.  We 
still  believe  that  the  most  plausible  suggestion  was  that  made  by  the  Water 
Board,  and  confirmed  by  the  opinions  and  able  researches  of  Drs.  Horsford 
and  Jackson,  published  with  the  report  of  last  year,  that  the  remote  cause  of 
the  impurity  was  to  be  attributed  to  the  long  drought  and  heat  of  the  summer 
of  that  year,  and  the  unusually  low  state  of  the  water  in  the  Lake ;  and  was 
the  result  of  vegetable  decomposition.  If  it  be  so,  the  evil  was  one  which  we 
must  probably  contend  with  again  ,•  and  it  becomes  important  that  the  water 
in  different  parts  of  the  lake  should  be  continually  watched,  particularly  dur" 
ing  the  summer  months,  and  the  slightest  deterioration  traced,  if  possible,  to 
its  source." 

1856. 

On  February  4th,  1856,  the  City  Council  elected — 

Thomas  Wetmore,  Joseph  Smith, 

Charles  Stoddard,  Jonathan  Preston, 

John  H.  Wilkins,  John  T.  Dingley, 

Samuel  Hatch, 

a  Water  Board  for  the  balance  of  the  year  1855-56;  and,  on  the  7th,  they 
met  for  organization,  when  Thomas  Wetmore  was  chosen  President,  and 
Samuel  N.  Dyer,  Clerk ;  the  latter,  in  place  of  Samuel  Holbrook. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  a  Committee  was  chosen  on  the  part  of  the  City 
Council,  to  consider  the  expediency  of  making  the  water  free,  and  paying  the 
interest  on  the  water  debt  by  insuring  the  buildings  that  were  supplied ;  and  on 
June  30th,  they  reported  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  take  any  action  thereon. 

Mr.  Albert  Stanwood  was  again  chosen  Superintendent  of  the  Pipe  Yard; 
Iron  Pipes,  Aqueduct  and  Reservoirs;  which  office  he  accepted  on  the  21st  of 
February. 

Mr.  Wetmore,  finding  his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  continue  as  a 
member  of  the  Board,  sent  in  his  resignation  April  7th,  which  was  accepted. 
Mr.  Wetmore  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years,  seven  months,  March  30th, 
1860,  about  four  years  after  his  resignation. 

On  April  17th,  an  application  was  made  for  the  use  of  the  Cochituate 
water  at  the  Navy  Yard,  in  Charlestown,  which  was  referred  to  the  City 
Council,  who  passed  an  order  giving  the  Board  full  power  to  act  in  the 
premises  as  they  considered  for  the  interest  of  the  city. 


176  [1856. 

The  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board,  for  the  year  1856-57,  occurred 
on  May  5th,  when  the  following  persons  were  chosen : 

John  H.  Wilkius,  Samuel  Hatch, 

Jonathan  Preston,  Charles  Stoddard, 

John  T.  Diugley,  Thomas  P.  Rich, 

'  Tisdale  Drake. 

They  met  for  organization  on  the  13th,  when  John  H.  Wilkins  was  chosen 
President,  and  Samuel  N.  Dyer,  Clerk :  Standing  Committees  of  the  Board 
were  also  appointed,  for  the  first  time,  to  have  charge  of  the  Eastern  and 
Western  Divisions,  and  of  the  Water  Registrar's  Department. 

It  having  been  decided  that  it  was  best  to  make  sale  of  the  property  known 
as  the  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct,  with  the  condition  that  no  water  should  be 
supplied  within  the  present  limits  of  the  City  of  Boston,  from  these  works,  the 
President  was  authorized  to  advertise  for  proposals  for  the  same. 

The  reason  for  coming  to  this  conclusion  was,  that  all  the  objects  for  which 
the  purchase  was  originally  made,  had  been  or  would  be  accomplished ;  these 
objects  were,  1st,  To  be  rid  of  rival  works;  2d,  To  quiet  all  claims  for  injury 
to  their  pipes,  by  laying  down  our  pipes ;  3d,  To  annul  the  privilege  of  break- 
ing up  and  injm-ing  the  streets,  whenever  and  wherever  they  saw  fit.  In 
answer  to  the  advertisement,  Messrs.  George  H.  and  T.  B.  Williams,  of  Ros- 
buiy,  had  several  interviews  with  the  President,  which  resulted  in  their 
purchasing  the  property,  November  1st,  for  the  sum  of  $32,000. 

The  Legislature  of  1859,  having  changed  the  boundary  line  between  the 
cities  of  Boston  and  Roxbury,  thereby  adding  two  hundred  and  four  acres  of 
the  territory  of  Roxbury  to  that  of  Boston,  as  the  agreement  was  confined  to 
the  lines  then  existing,  that  company  had  the  right  to  supply  this  territory  in 
common  with  the  Cochituate  Water  Works.  A  communication  was  received 
from  them,  July  12th,  1859,  suggesting  a  settlement;  but  it  was  considered 
that  no  action  was  necessary. 

A  communication  was  received,  August  26th,  1856,  from  the  City  Engineer, 
recommending  the  immediate  construction  of  a  new  dam  below  the  present 
one.  This  communication  was  referred  to  a  Committee  to  consider  and 
report,  which  they  did  September  1 8th,  when  it  was  voted  to  erect  the  dam, 
according  to  a  plan  proposed  by  Mr.  Knowlton. 

The  erection  of  this  dam  was  commenced  on  the  20th  day  of  October,  but 
was  not  completed  until  the  following  year.  The  point  chosen  for  this  erec- 
tion, was  4G0  feet  below  the  present  one,  because  the  bottom  at  this  point 
was  principally  of  gravel ;  a  row  of  piling  eight  inches  thick  was  diuven  to 
depths  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  for  a  foundation;  they  were  tongued 


1857.]  177 

and  grooved,  each  pile  being  ringed ;  and  great  care  was  taken  to  keep  the 
joints  close,  as  all  above  was  constructed  of  heavy  stone  masonry. 

The  cause  for  the  erection  of  this  dam  was,  that  the  one  originally  built 
showed  signs  of  weakness,  as  it  was  built  on  a  bed  of  quicksand.  Whenever 
the  lake  was  full,  or  nearly  so,  a  great  many  springs  boiled  up  through  it, 
outside  of  the  dam ;  some  of  them,  within  thirty  or  forty  feet  of  it,  others  at  a 
distance  of  one  and  two  hundred  feet.  These  springs,  or  a  part  of  them,  were 
continually  bringing  out  small  quantities  of  sand,  and  to  such  an  extent  that  it 
was  deemed  unsafe  to  keep  the  lake  full,  unless  back  water  could  be  kept  on 
the  dam.  This  accordingly  was  done  by  temporary  means,  until  the  new  dam 
was  constructed. 

The  waste  of  water  increased  to  such  an  extent  in  the  month  of  December, 
that  the  Board  passed  an  Order,  on  the  17th,  requesting  the  citizens,  through 
the  papers,  to  use  every  means  in  their  power  to  prevent  the  same ;  they  also 
requested  the  Mayor  to  order  the  police  to  report  to  the  Water  Registrar  all 
cases  of  waste,  either  by  night  or  day,  that  could  be  discovered. 

Application  was  made  to  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  to  raise  the  dam  at  the 
Lake  two  feet.  The  act  passed ;  but  on  account  of  a  proviso  that  gave  the 
towns  on  the  margin  of  the  lake  power  to  tax  the  lands  taken  for  this  pur- 
pose, it  was  not  accepted  by  the  City. 

1857. 

The  Annual  Election  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  took  place  on  Febru- 
ary 9th,  1857,  when 

John  H.  Wilkins,  Thomas  P.  Rich, 

Samuel  Hatch,  Tisdale  Drake, 

Charles  Stoddard,  Ebenezer  Johnson, 

Samuel  Hall, 

were  elected,  and  they  met  for  organization  on  the  13th,  when  John  H.  Wil- 
kins was  re-elected  President,  and  S.  N.  Dyer  re-chosen  Clerk;  and  Messrs. 
Stanwood  and  Knowlton  were  re-elected  Superintendents  of  their  respective 
departments. 

May  7th,  it  was  voted  to  lay  the  third  pipe,  of  36-inch  diameter,  across  the 
Charles  River  Valley  from  the  west  to  the  east  pipe  chamber ;  the  two  origi- 
nally laid  were  30-inch  diameter.  The  work  of  laying  this  pipe  was  com- 
menced early  in  July,  and  was  completed,  and  the  water  let  through,  on  the  9th 
of  September;  the  length  of  pipe  was  985  feet,  and  was  contracted  for  at  |51 
per  gross  ton. 

23 


178  [185T. 

The  good  effect  of  laj'^ing  this  pipe  was  at  once  visible  in  the  increased 
height  of  the  water  in  all  tlie  Reservoirs. 

The  Board  of  Aldermen  passed  the  following  Resolve  on  May  25th  : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  City  Council  the  time  has  arrived  for 
the  City  to  lay  a  third  main  from  the  Brooklinc  Reservoir  into  the  City,  and 
to  that  effect  it  is  Ordered :  That  the  Water  Board  furnish  to  the  City  Coun- 
cil an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the  same. 

The  Common  Council,  on  June  2d,  referred  the  whole  subject  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Water,  who  reported  on  the  29th,  recommending  that  the  whole 
subject  be  referred  to  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  for  their  views,  recommen- 
dations, and  also  estimates  of  cost;  and,  August  18th,  the  Board  made  their 
Report.  (City  Document,  No.  50,  1857.)  In  this  Report,  they  review  the  sub- 
ject at  length.  They  commence  by  giving  a  general  outline  of  the  works,  and 
calculations  of  the  Commissioners  as  to  the  quantity  of  water  required,  the 
population,  and  the  supply,  and  then  say :  "  With  nine  years'  experience,  it  is 
not  a  little  interesting  to  look  back  and  notice  the  difference  between  the 
anticipation  of  the  Commissioners  and  the  actual  results." 

They  then  state  that  the  population  has  increased  very  nearly  in  the  antici- 
pated ratio,  but  that  the  consumption  has  been  far  beyond  all  calculations ; 
that  their  estimates  of  the  capacity  of  the  Lake  have  been  fully  realized,  and 
that  if  means  be  adopted  to  store  the  water  which  now  runs  to  waste,  nearly 
double  the  estimated  supply  can  be  obtained. 

After  speaking  of  the  enormous  consumption  of  water,  they  say :  "  They 
regard  the  acquisition  of  an  additional  supply  of  water  at  the  Lake  as  a  sine 
qua  nony  Also,  .that  if  an  Act  cannot  be  obtained  allowing  the  Lake  to  be 
raised,  then  some  other  means  must  be  resorted  to ;  either  connecting  some 
other  supply^  or  separating  the  East  Boston  supply,  and  obtaining  it  from 
some  other  source,  or  a  greater  economy  in  the  use  of  the  water.  There  is 
one  way,  and  only  one,  that  is  obvious,  by  which  consumption  can  be  dimin- 
ished, viz  :  by  the  introduction  and  general  use  of  meters. 

"If  every  water-taker  should  be  obliged  to  receive  and  pay  for  the  water,  by 
measure,  there  can  be  no  question  that  the  consumption  would  be  immensely 
diminished — so  also  would  be  the  receipts.  The  question  with  most  takers 
would  not  be,  how  much  water  can  I  use  with  convenience  and  comfort,  but, 
how  little  can  I  get  along  with  ? "  They  do  not,  however,  recommend  the 
universal  use  of  meters ;  in  fact,  they  state  several  objections  to  their  general 
application,  principally  however,  as  to  expense,  and  as  a  sanitary  measm-e. 


1857.]  179 

'    Attached  to  the  Eeport  are  the  estunates,  in  detail,  of  the  City  Engineer; 
for  a  36-inch  pipe,  he  estimates  $425,150,  and  for  a  40-inch  pipe,  $499,400. 

After  this  Report  was  received,  there  was  considerable  discussion  in  the 
City  Council  upon  the  subject,  and  it  was  finally  referred  to  the  next  City 
Government. 

July  9th,  the  Board  being  desirous  of  obtaining  all  the  information  possible 
in  regard  to  the  management  of  water  works  in  other  cities,  sent  a  Commit- 
tee of  their  number,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Stoddard  and  Drake,  to  Albany, 
New  York,  and  Philadelphia,  to  gain  such  information,  and  to  report,  which 
they  did  on  November  7th.  In  their  Report,  in  speaking  of  the  management 
of  the  various  water  works,  they  say,  of  those  in  Albany : 

"  The  service-pipes  in  Albany  are  but  four  and  a  half  feet  below  the 
surface  of  the  ground,  without  boxing,  or  other  precautions  to  keep  them  from 
freezing.  They  are  inserted  in  the  main  at  the  expense  of  the  water  takers, 
and  are  at  their  own  risk,  as  are  the  pipes  within  their  own  premises,  no  city 
ofi&cer  having  any  supervision  over  their  insertion. 

Plumbers,  by  whom  this  work  is  done,  are  licensed  and  held  in  bonds  to 
the  city  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties.  These  duties,  to  which 
these  bonds  apply,  relate  to  introducing  water  from  the  mains,  and  not  to 
fixtures  within  the  buildings. 

Hydrants  are  allowed  in  courts  and  yards,  for  the  use  of  tenants  near  them. 
Water  takers  are  not  restricted  to  the  use  of  any  particular  kind  of  fixtures. 

Whenever  waste  is  suspected,  the  Superintendent  visits  and  examines  the 
premises  in  person,  or  sends  some  one  else  to  do  it.  In  some  instances,  notice 
of  such  visit  is  given.  There  is  no  extra  force  employed  to  detect  waste ;  but 
the  men,  when  not  otherwise  engaged,  are  employed  in  this  business. 

Steam  engines  pay  by  the  horse  power,  hotels,  by  the  number  of  rooms, 
steamboats,  three  dollars  a  day  during  the  running  season. 
•  The  Fire  Department  contributes  nothing  to  the  expenses  of  the  Water 
Works.     The  use  of  hand  hose  is  allowed  at  all  hours  of  the  day. 

All  vacant  lots  on  the  streets  through  which  the  pipes  are  laid,  are  taxed  for 
the  water,  whether  used  or  not,  it  being  considered  as  enhancing  the  value  of 
the  land.     The  tax  is  less  than  on  lots  on  which  buildings  are  erected. 

Meters  have  not  been  used,  as  yet,  in  Albany.  They  are  regarded  as 
important  for  hotels,  and  other  places  where  large  quantities  of  water  are 
used. 

Of  the  Croton  Water  Works  in  New  York,  they  say :  —  "  The  mains  in 
New  York  are  tapped  under  the  supervision  of  the  Water  Board  j  but  all 
service-pipes   are  attached  to  the  tap  and  carried   into   the   houses   at  the 


180  [1857. 

expense  of  the  owners  or  tenants,  and  at  their  own  risk.  All  plumbers  who 
do  this  work  are  licensed,  and  give  bonds  to  the  city,  in  the  sum  of  three 
thousand  dollars,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties.  They  are 
employed  by  the  water  takers  to  conduct  the  water  from  the  mains  into  the 
houses ;  and  it  is  to  this  work  their  bonds  apply,  and  not  to  pipe  work  in  the 
houses. 

"  The  plumbers  make  weekly  returns  of  their  doings  to  the  Water  Board. 
Hydrants  are  allowed  in  yards  and  courts.  Water  takers  are  not  restricted 
as  to  their  fixtures. 

"  A  special  police  of  twelve  persons  is  employed  by  the  Board  to  examine 
and  report  all  places  where  waste  is  supposed  to  exist.  They  also  distribute 
notices,  bills,  etc.,  and  make  daily  reports  to  the  Board.  When  water  is  cut 
off  for  waste,  a  fine  of  ten  dollars  is  required  to  be  paid  before  it  is  let  on 
again. 

"  The  Water  Board  expressed  the  conviction  that  the  greatest  waste  was  in 
the  private  dwellings  of  the  rich ;  the  water,  in  many  of  them,  running  to 
waste  all  the  time.  They  find  great  difiiculty  in  detecting  waste,  and  they 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  devise  any  effectual  measures  to  prevent  it. 

"  They  think  that  meters,  for  private  dwellings,  are  not  yet  practicable,  be- 
cause of  the  great  cost  of  the  number  required  to  supply  all  houses,  to  which 
must  be  added  the  expense  of  looking  after  and  keeping  them  in  repair. 

"  Water  for  shipping  is  let  out  at  a  yearly  rate  of  $9,000. 

"  Hand  hose  may  be  used  before  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

"All  houses  and  buildings  are  charged  for  water,  whether  they  take  it  or  not. 
Vacant  lots  are  not  charged.  All  charges  for  water  become  a  lien  upon  the 
property. 

"  Interest,  at  the  rate  of  twelve  per  cent  per  annum,  is  charged  on  all  arrears 
for  water,  from  the  time  the  bills  are  due  until  paid.  If  not  paid  within  four 
years,  the  property  is  sold  to  pay  the  dues ;  but  property  thus  sold  may  be 
redeemed  within  two  years  of  the  sale." 

Of  Fairmount  Water  Works,  in  Philadelphia,  they  say :  "  In  Philadelphia, 
the  executive  officers  of  the  Water  Department  manifested  a  readiness  to  give 
all  information  we  asked,  and  put  themselves  to  much  trouble  to  explain  their 
method  of  keeping  the  water  accounts. 

"  Many  of  their  replies  to  our  queries  were  similar  to  those  given  in  New 
York,  and  need  not  be  repeated.  Meters  have  not  been  used.  All  the  water 
used  in  Philadelphia  is  pumped,  either  by  steam  or  water  power.  They  have 
in  use,  for  this  purpose,  nine  water  wheels  and  eight  steam  engines. 

"  It  was  the  deliberate  judgment  of  the  Water  Board  and  officers,  both  in 


1857.]  181 

New  York  and  Philadelphia,  that  as  much  water  was  wilfully  wasted  as  was 
used." 

They  "  saw  in  Philadelphia,  a  portable  steam-  boiler,  constructed  at  small 
cost,  for  thawing  out  frozen  Hydrants.  The  mode  in  Boston  has  been  to  bor- 
row huckets  of  hot  water  from  the  neighboring  houses,  much  to  their  annoyance, 
and  with  gTeat  loss  of  time." 

They  closed  their  Report  by  recommending  several  changes  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  works,  of  which  the  following  have  been  adopted  by  the  Board, 
viz :  the  discontinuance  of  the  use  of  outside  Hydrants  and  Taps,  for  water- 
takers,  and  the  collection  of  meter  accounts  quarterly. 

On  July  23d,  Mr.  Allison  S.  Kempley  was  chosen  Superintendent  of  the 
Pipe  Chambers  at  Charles  Eiver,  in  place  of  Mr.  Oliver  Morse,  resigned. 

November  23d,  it  was  voted  to  give  public  notice  of  the  intention  of  the 
Board  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  authority  to  raise  the  dam  of  the  lake 
two  feet.  This  met  with  the  same  opposition  from  the  several  towns  as  the 
previous  application,  and  the  Act  obtained  was  similar  to  the  previous  one,  and 
was  not  accepted.  (City  Document  on  the  subject  of  Water,  for  year  1856, 
No.  11 ;  1857,  Nos.  12,  50;  1858,  Nos.  7,  18,  24,  57,  60.) 


[1858. 


CHAPTEE    XIX, 

1858-1861. 

Election  of  Water  Board  for  1858  —  Organization  of  the  Board  —  Agreement  with  the  sev- 
eral Towns  in  regard  to  raising  the  Lake  —  Natick  road  raised  —  New  Pipe  on  Dover 
Street  Bridge  —  Drinking  Fonts  in  the  Streets  —  Order  passed  to  lay  a  new  Main  from 
the  Brookline  Eeservoir  —  Size  of  the  Main  —  Proposals  and  Contract  for  the  Pipe  — 
Raising  the  Dam  at  the  Lake  —  Application  to  the  Legislature  for  leave  to  lay  new  Main 

—  Location  of  the  new  Main  —  Purchase  of  the  first  "Worthington  Meters  —  Petition  for 
the  use  of  the  "Water  for  a  Skating  Park  —  Discussion  on  the  Subject,  and  refusal  to 
grant  the  Request  —  Important  Events  in  1859  —  Election  of  Water  Board  for  1859-60, 
and  their  Organization  —  Breach  in  the  Aqueduct  —  Raising  of  the  Lake  —  New  40-inch 
Main  —  Claims  of  the  Meadow  Owners  on  Sudbury  River  —  Ofl'er  to  sell  Farm  Pond  to 
the  City  —  DiflBculty  with  the  Hotel  Keepers  in  regard  to  charging  them  by  the  Meter 

—  Use  of  the  Water  for  Skating  Parks  —  Water  for  a  Fountain  —  Election  of  Water 
Board  for  1860-61,  and  their  Organization — Stone  Bounds  ordered  to  be  put  down  at 
the  Lake  —Report  on  the  new  Main  —  Resignation  of  John  H.  Wilkins  —  Election  of  his 
Successor  —  Resolution  passed  by  the  Board  —  Mr.  Johnson  elected  President  of  the 
Board  —  Water  to  supply  Cistern  in  Charlestown  —  Change  of  Pipe  on  Tremont  Street, 
between  Waltham  and  Dover  streets. 

On  the  18th  of  January,  1858,  the  City  Council  elected 

John  H.  Wilkins,  Samuel  Hatch, 

Benjamin  James,  Ebenezer  Johnson, 

Tisdale  Drake,  Thomas  P.  Rich, 

Samuel  Hall, 
a  Cochituate  Water  Board  for  the  year  1858-9.  Mr.  Hall,  however,  was  not 
elected  until  February  8th,  the  two  branches  of  the  City  Council  being  unable 
to  agree.  February  5th,  the  Board  met  for  organization,  when  Mr.  Wilkins 
was  re-chosen  President,  and  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk ;  at  the  same  time,  Messrs. 
Stanwood  and  Knowlton  were  re-elected  Superintendents  of  the  Eastern 
and  Western  Divisions  respectively. 

April  8th,  a  Committee  was  chosen  to  confer  with  Committees  from  the 


1858.]  183 

towns  of  Framingham,  Natick  and  Wayland,  to  see  what  arrangement  could 
be  made  with  them,  so  that  they  would  join  the  City  in  an  application  for  an 
act  to  enable  the  City  to  raise  the  dam  at  the  lake  two  feet  j  several  inter- 
views were  had,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  if  the  City  would  pay 

to  the  town  of  Framingham  the  sum  of |4,500 

"  «        Natick  u        u 3^00Q 

"  "         Wayland         «         " 1^000 

that  the  said  towns  would  make  no  opposition  before  the  Legislature.  This 
proposition  was  submitted  to  and  accepted  by  the  Board,  the  amount  to  be 
paid  after  the  act  should  be  passed  and  accepted  by  the  several  towns  and  the 
City.  As  the  Legislature  did  not  meet  until  January  1859,  no  further  action 
was  taken  this  year,  except  to  give  notice  of  the  intention  to  apply  for  an  act, 
which  was  done  September  16th. 

May  6th,  Mr.  Knowlton  was  instructed  to  raise  the  road  in  Natick  that 
passes  through  the  lake,  to  the  heights  given  by  the  City  Engineer,  about  three 
feet,  so  that  it  would  be  perfectly  safe  when  the  lake  should  be  raised. 

It  having  been  •  decided  to  rebuild  the  Dover  Street  Bridge,  it  was  voted, 
June  3d,  that  in  order  to  keep  up  the  supply  to  South  Boston,  a  temporary 
20-inch  pipe  be  laid  over  the  bridge,  and  the  present  supply  be  continued 
until  this  pipe  was  ready  to  be  connected  at  both  ends ;  after  this  was  done, 
the  old  pipe  was  to  be  removed  laterally,  so  as  to  come  under  the  southerly 
sidewalk,  the  bridge  being  widened ;  but,  upon  further  investigation,  it  was 
decided  to  lay  a  new  pipe  in  its  proper  position,  and  not  to  draw  off  the  water 
from  the  old  until  the  new  was  ready  to  be  connected  at  both  ends,  and  then 
to  take  up  the  old  pipes.  Those  that  were  taken  up  were  considerably 
corroded.  On  examination,  it  was  found  that  those  that  were  the  least 
corroded,  had,  in  casting,  been  covered  with  the  sand  used  in  the  moulds, 
which  had,  in  part  at  least,  become  vitrified  and  burned  into  the  metal  of  the 
pipes ;  it  would  therefore  seem  that  this  was  the  cause  of  their  non-corrosion. 

Most  of  the  new  pipes  that  were  laid  are  Scotch  pipes,  coated  with  Dr. 
Smith's  patent  preparation,  which  was  found  in  other  places  to  answer  an 
excellent  purpose.  These  pipes  were  used  in  this  position  to  test  the  value 
of  an  internal  coating  in  preserving  the  pipes,  as  all  the  water  used  in  South 
Boston  must  pass  through  them.  Man-holes  were  placed  in  this  pipe  for  the 
purpose  of  examination.  This  pipe  was  opened  in  March,  1866,  nearly  eight 
years  afterward,  and  found  to  be  in  as  good  condition  as  when  first  laid. 

During  the  month  of  June,  several  petitions  were  sent  to  the  City  Council, 
asking  that  Drinking  Hydrants  might  be  placed  in  the  public  streets,  which 
were  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  thoroughly  investigated  the 


184  [1858. 

subject,  and  reported,  October  25th,  that  the  petitioners  have  leave  to  with- 
draw ;  which  report  was  accepted. 

July  30th,  the  City  Council  passed  the  following  Orders : 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be,  and  they  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  lay  a  new  main  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir  to  the  City,  the  main  to 
be  of  such  dimensions,  and  laid  on  such  route,  as  the  Water  Board  may  deem 
expedient. 

Ordered,  That  the  treasurer  be  authorized  to  borrow,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Committee  on  Finance,  a  sum  not  exceeding  four  hundred  thousand  dollars 
to  defray  the  expense  of  laying  a  new  main  as  above  authorized. 

The  Board,  after  the  receipt  of  the  above  order,  had  several  interviews  with 
the  City  Engineer,  and  on  July  8th,  decided  that  the  main  should  be  forty 
inches  in  diameter,  and  that  it  should  be  connected  with  that  in  the  Brook- 
line  Gate  House  by  an  extra  pipe,  equal  to  the  difference  between  the  new 
and  the  old  36-inch  one,  whenever  found  necessary  or  desirable.  This 
was  done,  as  it  was  not  considered  safe  to  cut  through  the  bulldiead,  and 
insert  a  larger  pipe;  this  extra  connection  was  a  20-inch  branch,  which  is 
now  capped  over. 

On  the  same  day,  it  was  decided  to  advertise  for  proposals  for  the  pipes ; 
and  when  the  proposals  received  were  opened,  the  offer  of  J.  W.  &  J.  F. 
Starr,  of  Camden,  N.  J.,  was  accepted,  for  twenty  thousand  feet,  at  the  rate 
of  thirty-three  dollars  per  gross  ton.  It  was  voted  that  they  be  required  to 
give  bonds  to  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  with  two  good  sureties, 
for  the  fulfilment  of  the  contract. 

August  26th,  Mr.  Knowlton  was  directed  to  raise  the  Dam  at  the  Lake,  so 
that  it  would  be  ready  to  use  as  soon  as  the  Act  was  passed. 

Application  was  made  to  the  Legislature  for  leave  to  lay  pipes  through  the 
public  streets  and  over  private  lands  in  the  city  of  Roxbury,  town  of  Brook- 
line,  and  the  city  of  Boston. 

December  6th,  it  was  voted  to  lay  the  new  Main  on  the  same  route  as  the 
others,  as  far  as  Dover  Street. 

The  first  Worthington  meters  were  purchased  December  24th,  when  an 
order  was  given  for  50  one-inch,  12  five-eighths,  and  1  two-inch  meters.  The 
Worthington  meters  had  been  on  trial  for  some  two  years,  and  had  proved 
satisfactory. 

The  Marlborough  Reservoir  was  sold  this  year,  July  29th,  to  Mr.  Amory 
Maynard,  for  the  sum  of  $8,000,  two  thousand  cash,  and  the  balance  in  five 


1858.]  185 

years.     Mr.  Maynard  was  unable  to  pay  the  note  at  the  expiration  of  the 
time,  and  the  mortgage  was  finally  sold. 

In  the  latter  part  of  November,  several  petitions  were  sent  to  the  City 
Council,  asking  that  the  Cochituate  water  might  be  used  for  the  purpose  of 
flowing  a  Skating  area  upon  the  low  portion  of  the  Common,  which  were 
referred  to  the  Board,  who  reported,  December  1st,  that  it  should  not  be 
considered  for  a  moment,  on  account  of  the  great  hazard  that  would  certainly 
attend  the  experiment,  to  the  efficiency  of  the  high  service  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  City,  and  especially  to  that  on  Beacon  Hill ;  and  also,  on  account 
of  the  danger  that  would  result  from  a  probable  deficiency  of  water  in  case 
of  fire.  The  Board  of  Aldermen,  however,  were  not  satisfied  with  this  Report, 
and  referred  it  to  the  Joint  Committee  on  Water,  and  the  Committee  on  the 
Common  and  Squares,  to  confer  with  the  Board  and  report,  which  they  did. 
The  Board  were  unable  to  convince  them  of  the  danger,  and  they  made  their 
Report  in  favor  of  granting  the  request,  and  offered  an  order  directing  the 
Water  Board  to  furnish  water  as  proposed,  to  the  extent,  at  least,  of  one 
million  gallons  per  day. 

This  order  passed  the  board  of  Aldermen,  and  was  sent  to  the  Council  for 
concurrence.  The  Board,  believing  it  to  be  their  emphatic  duty,  if  possible,  to 
put  a  stop  to  this  appropriation  of  the  water,  sent  a  Communication  to  the 
City  Council,  (City  Document  No.  57,  for  1858,)  in  which,  after  stating  what  had 
taken  place,  they  say :  —  "  In  this  position  of  the  order,  this  Board  looks  hope- 
fully but  confidently  to  the  wisdom,  discretion,  and  conservative  sentiment  of 
the  lower  branch  of  the  City  Council.  It  invokes  the  most  careful  examina- 
tion of  facts,  and  the  most  weighty  consideration  of  consequences.  The 
safety  and  convenience  of  a  large  population,  comprising,  as  a  class,  our  most 
wealthy  and  highly  taxed  citizens,  may  be  deeply  afiected  by  the  vote  that  may 
be  given.  And  if  the  scheme  be  allowed  to  be  consummated,  who  can  foresee 
and  measure  the  evils  that  may  accrue  ?  "  The  communication  then  gives  a 
statement  of  the  heights  of  water  in  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  at  dififerent 
dates,  showing  the  danger  of  allowing  any  extra  use  of  the  water,  and  then 
says : — 

"  The  Order  which  has  passed  the  Aldermen,  directs  the  Water  Board  to 
furnish  water  ^  not  to  exceed  1,000,000  gallons  per  day,  unless  a  greater  quan- 
tity may  be  necessary,  and  can  be  furnished  without  detriment  to  the  public 
interest.'  Up  to  the  limit  of  1,000,000  gallons  per  day,  the  order  is  manda- 
tory upon  this  Board,  let  the  consequence  be  what  it  may. 

'•  Now  five  feet  of  water  in  the  Reservoir  is  about  equivalent  to  1,000,000 
gallons.     Whenever  the   water  faUs   five   feet  in  the   reservoir,   1,000,000 

24 


186  [1858. 

gallons  have  been  expended,  together  with  what  has  been  introduced  during 
the  time  of  fall ;  but  the  Reservoir  will  be  so  near  to  the  proposed  aperture 
for  the  discharge  of  the  water,  that  the  current  into  the  city  will  be  greatly 
checked,  and  nearly  the  whole  quantity  will  come  from  the  Reservoir ;  and  the 
draft  of  1,000,000  gallons  will  reduce  the  water  nearly  five  feet."  "In  the 
cold  season  of  1856-57,  when  the  water  was  extremely  low,  or  there  was  none 
at  all  in  the  Reservoir,  there  were  forty-one  days  when  the  water  was  not  over 
five  feet  deep ;  and,  of  course,  had  this  Board  been  required  to  draw  a  million 
gallons  for  skating  purposes  on  these  days,  there  would  have  been  that  num- 
ber of  days  added  to  the  list  when  there  was  no  water  in  the  Reservoir,  — 
making,  in  all,  fifty. 

''  This  Board  is  not  unaware  of  the  popular  pressure  for  this  measure,  —  a 
pressure  which  it  is  much  more  agreeable  to  yield  to  than  resist.  To 
account  for  this  popularity  it  is  well  to  consider  that  probably  more  than  four- 
fifths,  if  not  a  much  larger  proportion,  of  the  population  of  Boston  live  at  an 
elevation  above  marsh  level  not  exceeding  sixty  feet.  Four-fifths  of  all  the 
population  are  sure  of  a  constant  supply,  and  are  in  no  danger  of  being 
affected  by  any  amount  of  waste  or  consumption. 

"  Hence  four  men  out  of  every  five,  and,  indeed,  probably  a  much  larger 
proportion,  being  entirely  and  absolutely  out  of  harm's  way,  may  well  be  ready 
and  urgent  for  the  experiment." 

They  then  state  how  careful  the  City  Council  had  been  as  to  whom  they 
intrusted  the  care  and  management  of  the  works  from  their  first  construction, 
and  conclude  their  Report  thus :  "  It  has  been  a  rare  thing  for  an  individual 
to  be  put  upon  the  Board,  who  has  not  attained  knowledge  and  standing  in 
the  community  by  repeated  and  acceptable  performance  of  service  in  some 
branch  or  department  of  the  City  Government.  The  members  of  the  present 
Board  certainly  have  indulged  the  idea  that  they  offered  in  their  respective 
characters,  acquired  in  the  public  service,  a  guaranty  that  their  duties  would 
be  honestly  and  faithfully  performed ;  and  that  they  were  selected  to  fill  the 
Board,  and  have  the  large  additional  trust  of  supervising  the  laying  of  the 
new  main  to  Brookline,  precisely  on  account  of  their  respective  characters 
thus  obtained. 

"  Allow  this  Board,  therefore,"  they  say,  in  conclusion,  "  to  put  in  the  most 
serious  manner,  the  question,  whether  it  is  wise  and  whether  it  is  expedient, 
under  the  stimulus,  perhaps,  of  outside  pressure,  for  the  City  Council  now,  for 
the  first  time,  to  step  in  and  assume  and  exercise  the  power  of  controlling  the 
use  of  the  water  in  a  particular  case,  —  a  power  which  in  general  is  clearly 
reposed  in  this  Board,  and  for  no  other  apparent  reason  than  because  this 


1859.]  187 

Board  cannot,  in  the  exercise  of  fidelity  to  its  trusts,  either  propose  or  invite 
any  compromise  on  the  matter  of  a  supply,  where  it  believes  that  no  supply 
can  be  given  without  hazard  to  the  public  interest ;  and,  in  this  manner,  and 
for  the  carrying  of  a  particular  point,  to  impair  the  discretion,  control  the 
judgment,  and  annihilate  the  just  independence  of  this  Board." 

This  communication  had  the  desired  effect,  the  Council  refusing  to  concur. 

1859. 

The  breach  in  the  Aqueduct  at  Needham,  the  raising  of  the  Dam  at 
Lake  Cochituate,  the  laying  of  the  new  Main,  and  the  settling  of  the  claims  of 
Meadow  owners  on  Sudbury  River,  make  this  the  most  eventful  year  since 
the  completion  of  the  works. 

The  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board  took  place  on  February  28th, 
when  the  following  persons  were  chosen :  — 

John  H.  Wilkins,  Ebenezer  Johnson, 

Ebenezer  Atkins,  Samuel  Hall, 

Tisdale  Drake,  John  S.  Dingley, 

George  F.  Trench. 

They  met  for  organization  March  2d;  at  which  meeting,  John  H.  Wilkins 
was  again  chosen  President,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk,  and  Messrs.  Stanwood  and 
Knowlton  re-elected  Superintendents. 

Breach  in  the  Aqueduct  m  Needham. 

This  breach  occurred  on  the  29th  of  March,  an  account  of  which  is  given  in 
the  annual  Report  of  the  Board,  and  of  the  City  Engineer,  from  which  we 
make  the  following  extract : 

"  The  Aqueduct,  at  its  connection  with  the  pipes  crossing  Charles  River,  on 
the  westerly  iside  in  Needham,  gave  way  early  ia  the  morning,  and  the  great 
volume  of  water,  which  was  passing  through  the  same,  in  a  very  short  time 
produced  the  most  destructive  havoc  upon  the  premises,  ■— carrying  pipes, 
gravel,  brick  and  stone  masonry  and  other  materials  away,  and  precipitating 
them  into  Charles  River,  choking  up  its  current,  and  causing  it  to  overflow  its 
banks  and  tlirow  back  water  upon  the  meadows  and  hills  above. 

"  The  sight  of  this  devastating  outbreak  was  truly  appalling. 

"  A  young  man,  son  of  Mr.  Reuben  Ware,  living  near  at  hand,  had  the  pres- 
ence of  mind  to  mount  and  ride  with  all  speed  to  the  lake  to  appraise  Mr. 
Knowlton  of  the  breach,  and  the  water  was  instantly  turned  off;  so  that,  in 
probably  two  hours  from  its  occurrence,  the  water  ceased  to  flow  injuriously  at 
the  breach. 


188  [1859. 

"  This  prompt  and  liigWy  meritorious  act  of  young  Mr.  Ware,  by  which 
further  incalculable  injury  was  seasonably  prevented,  was  deemed  worthy  of 
special  notice  by  this  Board,  and  he  was  presented  by  them  with  a  valuable 
watch  and  chain. 

"  By  this  untoward  occurrence,  the  stone  gate-house  and  nearly  one  hundred 
feet  of  the  brick  conduit  were  carried  away,  and,  with  several  of  the  connect- 
ing pipes,  were  precipitated  into  the  river  to  the  distance  of  from  seventy-five 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  What  was  the  cause  of  this  occurrence  is  only 
matter  of  conjecture,  as  all  the  traces  of  weakness  and  of  failure  were 
entirely  obliterated  in  the  accompanying  ruin." 

The  City  Engineer,  however,  says :  "  From  the  appearance  of  such  of  the 
broken  pipes  as  could  be  found  after  the  accident,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
it  was  first  caused  by  a  slight  leak,  probably  a  crack,  in  one  of  the  pipes.  A 
little  water  running  down  by  the  pipes  would  very  soon  wash  down  enough 
sand  and  gravel  to  undermine  them,  when,  having  nothing  to  support  them, 
they  must,  of  necessity,  break ;  and,  one  of  them  once  broken,  such  a  torrent 
of  water  would  flow  from  it  as  to  wash  out,  in  a  short  time,  a  very  large  hole 
in  such  material  as  the  hill  was  composed  of. 

"  As  the  hill  was  washed  away,  fii^st  went  the  pipes,  then  the  pipe  chamber, 
and,  lastly,  portions  of  the  conduit,  until  the  water  was  shut  off  at  the  lake. 

"The  surface  of  the  ground  being  frozen,  and  the  water  from  the  leak 
following  down  by  the  side  of  the  pipes,  without  showing  on  the  surface, 
would  be  sufficient  cause  of  the  leak  not  having  been  discovered  the  previous 
afternoon,  when  the  spot  was  passed  over  for  inspection  by  Mr.  Knowlton. 

"  Most  probably  the  leak  in  the  pipes  did  not  commence  until  some  time 
during  the  night. 

"  Instead  of  restoring  the  hill  to  its  original  shape,  the  new  pipe  chamber 
was  set  farther  back  in  the  hill,  a  distance  of  about  ninety  feet,  and  the  hole 
filled  up  hj  puddling  in  the  gravel  and  sand  to  a  much  flatter  slope  than  for- 
merly. This  process  of  puddling  in  was  chosen  in  preference  to  building  up 
piers  of  masonry  under  the  pipes,  because,  in  this  way,  the  pipes  could  be 
laid,  and  the  water  could  be  set  running  to  the  City  again  in  much  less  time 
than  it  would  have  taken  to  build  up  brick  or  stone  piers.  The  filling  is  now 
quite  as  firm  and  solid  as  the  hill  ever  was  previous  to  the  break  -,  and,  because 
of  the  greater  flatness  of  the  slope,  it  is  now  much  less  likely  to  break  away 
than  formerly. 

"  The  break  occurred  on  Tuesday.  On  the  next  Thursday  morning,  the 
trench  was  filled  in  enough  to  receive  the  pipes.  On  the  next  Saturday  night, 
at  nine  o'clock,  one  line  of  pipes  was  laid,  and  water  passed  through  it  to  the 


1859.]  189 

City.  At  six,  P.  M.,  on  Sunday,  the  second  line  of  pipes  was  connected,  and 
water  passed  through  it  to  the  City ;  and,  on  the  succeeding  Tliursday,  at  half 
past  five,  P.  M.,  the  third  and  last  line  of  pipes  was  connected,  and  the  water 
was  flowing  through  all  the  lines  of  pipes.  The  whole  time  from  the  break  to 
the  full  restoration  of  the  pipes,  conduit,  and  gate  chamber,  having  been  nine 
and  one-half  days. 

"  A  very  great  amount  of  gravel  and  sand  was  washed  into  the  river,  and, 
for  a  short  time,  it  was  entirely  dammed  up,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  pres- 
ence of  mind  of  some  of  the  neighbors,  who  set  themselves  immediately  at 
work  to  open  a  channel  through  it,  it  is  probable  that  the  river  would  have 
broken  through  the  line  of  pipes  laid  in  the  valleys,  or  around  the  abutments 
of  the  bridge.  In  either  case,  the  damage  would  have  been  vastly  greater 
than  it  was,  and  would  have  taken  a  much  longer  time  to  repair. 

"  Messrs.  Knowlton  and  Stanwood,  Mr.  Bird,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fire 
Department,  and  many  persons,  aided  very  efficiently  in  repairing  the  break. 

"  During  the  summer,  a  large  force  of  men  was  employed,  under  the  personal 
supervision  of  Mr.  Knowlton,  in  cleaning  out  the  river,  so  that  no  obstruction 
would  be  made  to  the  flow  of  water  to  the  mills,  or  by  the  accumulation  of 
anchor  ice  during  the  present  or  any  succeeding  winter." 

The  whole  expense  occasioned  by  this  breach  was  $15,380.83. 

The  Raising  op  Lake  Cochituate. 

The  third  attempt  to  obtain  an  Act  acceptable  to  the  City  was  successful,  as 
all  the  towns  bordering  on  the  Lake  had  been  settled  with,  as  mentioned  in 
the  previous  chapter,  and  the  following  Act  was  passed  without  opposition,  on 
the  5th  of  April,  and  was  accepted  by  the  City  Council,  May  6th. 

The  Act. 

Section  1.  The  City  of  Boston  is  hereby  authorized,  by  and  through  the 
agency  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  therein,  or  by  and  thi-ough  any  other 
agency  which  shall  be  established  therefor,  by  the  City  Council  of  said  city,  to 
raise  the  dam  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Cochituate,  formerly  called  "  Long  Pond  "  ; 
lying  in  the  towns  of  Natick,  Wayland,  and  Framingham,  to  the  height  of  ten 
feet  above  the  floor  of  "  Knight's  Flume,"  so-called ;  and  may  also  take  and  hold, 
from  time  to  time,  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  any  lands  or  real  estate  on  and 
around  the  margin  of  said  lake,  not  exceeding  five  rods  in  width,  measuring 
from  the  verge  of  said  lake,  when  the  same  shall  be  raised  to  the  level  authorized 
by  this  act,  so  far  as  such  lands  and  real  estate  may  be  necessary  for  the  preser- 
vation and  purity  of  said  lake,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  a  supply  of  pure 
water  for  said  City  of  Boston ;  provided,  however,  that  no  lands  or  real  estate 


190  [1859. 

taken  or  purchased  under  this  act,  shall  be  exempted  from  taxation,  by  reason  of 
such  taking  or  purchase.  All  lands  and  real  estate  within  said  towns,  heretofore 
taken  or  purchased,  and  now  held  by  said  city,  by  virtue  of  an  act  approved 
JNIarch  thirtieth,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six,  or  by  virtue  of  any  other  act 
heretofore  passed,  shall  be  and  remain  exempted  from  taxation  so  long  as  they 
continue  to  be  so  held  and  used  for  the  purpose  of  said  acts. 

Sect.  2.  The  said  City  of  Boston  shall  be  liable  to  pay  all  damages  that 
shall  be  sustained  by  any  persons  in  their  property,  by  the  taking  of  any  land  or 
real  estate,  or  by  the  flowage  of  the  lands  of  any  person  as  aforesaid ;  and  in 
regard  to  such  taking  and  flowing,  and  the  ascertainment  and  payment  of  all 
such  damages,  the  said  City  of  Boston,  and  all  persons  claiming  damages,  shall 
haA^e  all  the  rights,  immunities,  and  remedies,  and  be  subject  to  all  the  duties, 
liabilities  and  obligations,  which  are  provided  in  the  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
seventh  chapter  of  the  acts  of  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six, 
the  one  hundred  and  eighty-seventh  chapter  of  the  acts  of  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fort3Miine,  and  the  three  hundred  and  sixteenth  chapter  of 
the  acts  of  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty.  Said  City  of  Boston 
shall  also  indemnify  said  towns  of  Natick  and  Wayland  against  all  injury  which 
may  at  any  time  be  done  to  any  highway  or  bridge  in  such  towns,  by  reason  of 
the  raising  of  the  water,  and  maintaining  the  dam,  as  hereinbefore  provided. 

Sect.  3.  This  act  shall  not  take  eifect  until  said  City  of  Boston  shall  have 
paid  to  the  said  town  of  Framingham,  the  sum  of  forty-five  hundred  dollars  ;  to 
the  said  town  of  Natick,  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  :  and  to  the  said  town 
of  Wayland  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  :  nor  until  said  act  shall  have  been 
accepted  by  the  City  Council  of  the  said  City  of  Boston. 

Much  of  the  preliminary  work  was  done  the  previous  year ;  nearly  all  the 
roads  had  been  raised,  and  many  of  the  owners  of  lands  to  be  flooded  had 
been  settled  with. 

May  2d,  Mr.  Knowlton  was  instructed  to  proceed  to  rebuild  the  gate-house, 
raise  the  sea-wall,  and  put  the  embankments  in  order,  preparatory  to  raising 
the  water  two  feet.  On  the  13th,  it  was  voted  to  take  down  the  gate-house  at 
the  Lake,  and  raise  the  floor  to  the  height  of  four  and  one-half  feet  above  the 
present  one,  and  have  the  steps  inside  conform  to  the  height  raised;  and  to 
rebuild  it  with  the  same  stone,  and  use  the  same  windows,  but  to  have  iron 
doors,  to  swing  the  same  as  the  present  wooden  ones,  but  not  to  have  a  door 
in  the  east  end  of  the  building.  Mr.  Knowlton  was  also  instructed  to  con- 
tract for  the  stone  for  the  wall,  at  a  price  not  exceeding  one  dollar  per 
running  foot,  delivered,  the  stone  not  to  be  less  than  four  feet  long,  two  feet 
higl),  and  eighteen  inches  wide.     This  wall  was  raised  three  feet. 

The  total  cost  of  raising  the  Lake,  including  the  amount  paid  to  the  towns, 
was  $27,130. 


1859.]  191 

The  New  Forty-Inch  Main. 

In  the  previous  chapter,  it  was  stated  that  authority  was  given  to  the  Board 
to  lay  a  new  Main ;  also,  that  a  contract  was  made  for  the  iron  pipe ;  but  the 
work  of  laying  the  pipe  was  not  commenced  during  that  year.  The  work  of 
laying  the  main  from  the  Brookline  Gate  House  was  commenced  in  the  latter 
part  of  March,  1859,  and  continued  during  the  summer  and  fall,  and  it  was 
connected  with  the  30-inch  main  crossing  the  Common,  on  the  24th  day  of 
December.  Its  continuation,  to  join  the  other  main,  at  the  corner  of  Tremont 
and  Boylston  streets,  was  postponed  until  the  following  spring. 

The  total  number  of  pipes  laid,  and  required  to  complete  the  work,  was 
1,947,  or  23,364  feet;  there  were  also  6  reducers,  13  man-holes,  2  drain 
pipes,  16  branches,  8  bonnets  and  5  blow-offs.  The  total  weight  of  metal 
was  a  little  over  5,827  tons,  or  13,052,480  pounds.  The  amount  paid  the 
Messrs.  Starrs  for  the  pipes,  which  includes  freight,  was  $196,004.12.  As  the 
work  required  20,000  feet  more  pipe  than  was  at  first  contracted  for,  a  second 
contract  was  made,  with  the  same  parties,  for  the  balance  that  would  be 
required,  at  the  rate  of  thirty-seven  dollars  per  ton;  an  advance  of  four 
dollars  per  ton.  These  pipes  were  all  subjected  to  a  test  of  three  hundred 
pounds  to  a  square  inch,  and  they  stood  it  remarkably  well. 

The  Act  passed  by  the  Legislature,  giving  authority  to  lay  the  new  main, 
was  not  accepted  on  account  of  the  following  proviso : 

"  Provided  all  lands  so  tuTcen  and  held,  or  that  are  now  held  by  virtue  of  any 
former  act,  shall  he  liable  to  taxation.^' 

"By  accepting  this  act,  the  City  of  Boston  would  have  laid  itself  at  the 
mercy  of  the  towns  to  tax  a  property  which  had  cost  more  than  $20,000 :  of 
course,  such  acceptance  was  not  to  be  thought  of." 

It  was  originally  intended  by  the  City  Engineer  to  bring  the  new  main 
over  the  Mill-dam;  the  Board,  however,  on  December  6th,  1858,  voted  to 
carry  it  by  the  old  route,  at  the  same  time  they  petitioned  for  the  above  act 
to  give  power  to  carry  it  either  way ;  and  as  the  act  as  passed  could  not  be 
accepted,  they  submitted  the  following  questions  to  the  City  Solicitor : 

1.  May  the  City  of  Boston  bring  water  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir  into 
the  City  by  a  new  line  of  works,  and  take  lands  for  that  purpose,  without 
the  consent  of  the  owners  thereof? 

2.  May  the  City  lay  an  additional  water  pipe  along  the  line  of  the  present 
works,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  a  larger  supply  of  water  from  the  Reser- 
voir into  the  City  ? 

Mr.  Healey  replied  to  the  first  in  the  negative,  and  to  the  second,  in  the 
affirmative. 


192  [1859. 

After  this  decision  was  given,  tliey  again  voted  to  lay  tlio  new  main  on  the 
same  route  as  the  others.  The  City  Council,  on  hearing  this  decision,  passed 
the  following  order : 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be  respectfully  requested  to 
furnish  the  City  Council  with  a  full  and  explicit  explanation  of  the  reasons 
why  the  route  of  the  new  main,  now  being  laid  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir, 
has  been  changed  from  the  route  as  generally  understood  by  the  Council  when 
the  appropriation  was  made,  and  as  approved  by  the  Mayor  in  his  Inaugural 
Addi^ess;"  to  which  they  replied,  on  June  27th.  (City  Document  No,  40, 
1859.) 

There  was,  however,  such  a  general  feeling  as  to  the  importance  of  laying 
this  main  entirely  independent  of  the  others,  that  measures  were  at  once 
taken  by  the  Board  to  see  if  they  could  purchase  the  right  to  lay  the  pipe 
over  the  Mill-dam ;  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  Mill-dam  Corporation 
should  give  a  warrantee  deed  authorizing  the  City  to  pass  under  their  road 
for  the  sum  of  $20,000.  But  the  City  Solicitor  at  once  discovered  that  they 
had  no  valid  title,  as  the  Corporation  had  already  deeded  all  their  interest  to 
the  Commonwealth,  reserving  only  the  franchise  of  using  it,  and  taking  toll 
thereon  until  May  1st,  1863,  and  the  Mill-dam  route  was  again  abandoned, 
and  the  work  commenced  on  the  old  line. 

The  public,  however,  were  not  satisfied  with  the  decision,  and  it  was  so 
manifest  that  the  popular  sentiment  was  strongly  in  favor  of  this  route,  that 
new  negotiations  were  commenced  with  the  Mill-dam  Corporation,  and  it  was 
finally  agreed  that  this  Corporation  should  give  a  quitclaim  deed,  and  the 
City  paid  for  the  same  the  sum  of  $12,500;  and  $500  was  also  paid  to  the 
Water  Power  Company  for  draining  down  the  water  so  as  to  accommodate 
the  laying  of  the  pipes. 

The  right  from  the  Commonwealth  to  maintain  this  pipe  was  not  obtained 
until  1864,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  record  of  that  year. 

July  5th,  the  Board  voted  to  adopt  the  Mill-dam  route,  and  directed  Mr. 
Stanwood  to  take  up  the  nine  hundred  feet  of  pipe  that  had  been  laid  on  the 
old  line,  and  to  commence  immediately  on  the  new  one. 

September  1st,  Mr.  George  Griggs  sent  a  communication  to  the  Board, 
claiming  the  fee  in  part  for  the  land  taken  for  laying  the  pipe,  but  offered  to 
settle,  if  his  house  could  be  supplied  with  water  from  the  main.  This  was 
accepted  on  the  part  of  the  Board,  but  as  they  had  no  power  to  grant  the  use 
of  the  water,  outside  the  limits  of  the  City,  it  was  referred  to  the  City  Coun- 
cil ;  and  tlicy  declined  to  accept  any  such  proposition,  and  the  claim  was 
afterwards  settled  by  the  payment  of  $1,000. 


1859.]  193 

September  29th,  it  was  voted  to  connect  this  main  with  the  30-inch  pipe 
on  the  Common,  and  to  continue  the  40-inch  to  Boylston  Street,  and  then 
connect  with  the  other  30-inch;  also,  to  put  a  20-inch  branch  into  the  new 
main,  to  connect  with  Charles  Street. 

The  beneficial  effect  of  the  introduction  of  this  main  was  very  soon  felt, 
after  its  connection  with  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir.  The  water  in  that 
Reservoir  rose  to  an  average  of  over  six  feet  above  its  previous  average. 

East  and  South  Boston  were  also  particularly  benefited  by  this  additional 
head. 

The  total  expense  of  laying  this  main  was  $304,657.07,  or  $14.07  per  run- 
ning foot,  being  $95,342.93  less  than  the  original  appropriation.  The  length 
of  pipe  laid  was  23,174  feet,  or  a  little  over  four  miles. 

Claims  of  Meadow  Ownees  on  Sudbury  River. 

The  proprietors  of  Sudbury  Meadows,  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  number, 
memorialized  the  City  of  Boston  for  payment  for  damage  done  their  prop- 
erty by  letting  down  water  from  the  Reservoir  at  unseasonable  times.  This 
was  referred  to  the  Board  with  full  power ;  and  after  visiting  the  premises  in 
Wayland,  and  hearing  the  parties,  they  made  a  Report  to  the  City  Council, 
(City  Doc.  No.  49,  1859),  which  contains  a  complete  history  of  the  meadows 
from  1793  to  the  present  time.  They  close  their  Report  thus:  "Sympa- 
thizing, as  the  Board  does,  in  the  sufferings  of  the  petitioners,  and  desirous,  as 
it  certainly  is,  to  do  all  that  is  proper  to  relieve  them  in  the  premises,  it  be- 
comes an  important  question.  What  should  the  City  do,  not  acting  under  a 
sense  of  having  done  intentional  and  legal  damage,  but  under  an  appreciation 
of  the  hardship  of  the  case  of  these  proprietors,  and  with  a  disposition  to 
restore  them  to  the  enjoyment  of  their  original  and  natural  rights  ? 

"  Weighing,  as  best  it  could,  all  the  circumstances  of  this  case,  this  Board 
have  come  to  the  following  conclusion,  viz :  The  City  of  Boston  will  convey 
to  some  responsible  agent  or  committee,  authorized  to  act  in  behalf  of  the 
proprietors,  by  quitclaim  deed,  all  the  right,  title,  and  interest  which  the  City 
possesses  in  and  to  the  Reservoir  at  Hopkinton,  with  its  dam,  gate-house  and 
flume,  to  have  and  to  hold,  and  lawfully  manage  and  control  the  same  as  they 
please." 

After  this  Report  was  made,  a  proposal  was  received,  "signed  by  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-six  meadow  owners,  obligating  themselves  to  forbear  all 
claims  for  damages,  on  condition  that  the  city  would  convey  to  Col.  David 
Heard,  of  Wayland,  the  property  of  the  city  in  and  to  the  Hopkinton  Reser- 
voir, and  other  real  and  personal  property  appurtenant  to,  and  connected  there- 

25 


194  [1859. 

with.  The  Board  accepted  the  proposition  j  and  as  all  the  owners  had  not 
signed  the  obligation,  and  there  might  arise  some  difficulty  with  some  who  had, 
it  was  deemed  prudent  to  require  a  good  and  sufficient  bond  to  secure  the 
city  from  all  claims  of  everybody  interested,  —  those  who  had,  as  well  as 
those  who  had  not  signed  the  release.  Messrs.  David  Heard  and  his  brother 
Horace  executed  a  bond  to  that  effect,  in  the  sum  of  $10,000,  for  the 
consideration  of  two  hundred  dollars.  Thus  was  terminated,  with  mutual 
satisfaction,  a  controversy  which  caused  the  Board  much  anxiety.  Not  that 
it  is  to  be  supposed  that  the  damages  done  by  the  city  were  nearly  so 
great  as  the  sufferers  thought  them;  nor  that  their  grievances  will  end 
with  this  addition  to  their  means  of  security ;  but  because  appearances  were 
against  us ;  and  if  in  a  single  case,  out  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  owners,  a 
single  one  could  establish  even  a  small  damage,  the  aggregate  would  be 
frightfully  large." 

During  the  year,  Mr.  H.  M.  Simpson,  the  owner,  offered  to  sell  to  the  city 
his  right  to  the  waters  of  Farm  Pond,  but  no  action  was  taken  thereon,  as,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Board,  the  raising  of  the  lake  would  furnish  sufficient 
water  for  years  to  come. 

November  1 7th,  the  hotel  keepers  asked  for  a  hearing  in  regard  to  their 
water  rates,  being  their  first  hills  after  the  application  of  meters ;  which  was 
granted.  December  6th  they  appeared  by  Counsel,  and,  on  the  13th,  had  leave 
to  withdraw.  They  refused,  however,  to  pay ;  and,  by  mutual  agreement,  the 
case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  and  a  hearing  was  had  on 
the  same;  but  the  Decision  of  the  Judges  was  not  given  until  the  year  1861. 
"  The  counsel  for  the  plaintiffs  contended  — 

"  1.  That  the  power  to  fix  the  price  and  rents  of  water  was  in  the  City 
Council  alone,  and  could  not  be  delegated  to  the  Water  Board,  or  any  other 
City  officer. 

"  2.  That  the  citizens  using  water  had  a  right  to  have  the  judgment  and 
discretion  of  the  City  Council  upon  the  price  to  be  paid. 

"  3.  If  the  ordinances  were  otherwise  within  the  authority  of  the  City 
Council,  they  were  uncertain,  unreasonable,  and,  therefore,  void. 

"  4.  But  the  plaintiffs  were  charged  several  times  as  much  under  these  pro 
visions  as  under  the  price  fixed  by  the  City  Council. 

"  5.  Hotel-keepers  using  the  same  quantity  might,  under  these  provisions,  be 
charged  at  rates  differing  as  one  to  four  at  the  will  of  the  Water  Board  or 
Water  Registrar. 

"  6.  Even  if  the  Ordinance  was  valid,  this  specific  water  rate  should  have 
been  assessed  by  the  Registrar,  and  not  by  the  Water  Board. 


I860.]  195 

"  7.  It  should  have  been  assessed  on  the  last  of  January  for  the  year,  and 
not  quarterly. 

"  In  the  elaborate  opinion  of  the  Court,  all  these  points  were  overruled ;  and 
it  was  decided  that,  upon  a  proper  interpretation  of  the  provisions  of  the 
statutes  and  ordinances  bearing  upon  the  subject,  none  of  the  objections  urged 
by  the  plaintiffs  against  the  proceedings  of  the  Water  Board  in  fixing  the 
price  or  rent  to  be  paid  for  water  taken  by  them  could  be  sustained.  Judg- 
ment was  accordingly  rendered  for  the  City.  As  this  was  a  test  case,  the 
other  hotel  proprietors,  who  had  refused  to  pay  the  rates  assessed,  subse- 
quently paid  them,  amounting  to  $9,526.50." 

On  December  23d,  an  Ordinance  was  passed  by  the  City  Council,  directing 
that  all  rates  for  water  furnished  through  meters  should  be  collected  quarterly. 

Several  petitions  were  received  from  various  parties  during  the  month  of 
December  for  the  use  of  the  water  to  form  Skating  Parks,  which  were  granted 
the  parties  paying  for  the  estimated  quantity.  There  was  also  a  petition 
received,  during  the  summer,  from  Mr.  W.  W.  Clapp,  Jr.,  for  the  free  use  of 
water  for  a  fountain,  to  be  erected,  if  such  use  should  be  granted,  in  West 
Chester  Square.  The  Board  reported,  as  in  all  the  previous  cases  which  have 
been  mentioned,  that  they  had  no  power  whatever  to  grant  the  free  use  of  the 
water.     (The  City  Documents,  for  1859,  are  Nos.  8,  40,  49,  56.) 

1860. 

On  January  16th,  Mr.  W.  F.  Davis  was  re-elected  Water  Registrar.  The 
Annual  Election  of  the  Water  Board  took  place  on  February  6th,  when  the 
following  persons  were  elected :  — 

Clement  Willis,  George  P.  French, 

G-.  E.  Pierce,  George  Dennie, 

John  H.  Wilkins,  Ebenezer  Johnson, 

Samuel  Hall. 

Mr.  Johnson,  however,  was  not  elected  until  February  20th.  They  met,  for 
organization,  February  15th,  when  John  H.  Wilkins  was  re-elected  President, 
and  Samuel  N.  Dyer,  Clerk;  and  Messrs.  Stanwood  and  Knowlton  were 
re-elected  Superintendents  of  their  respective  divisions. 

In  May,  Mr.  Knowlton  was  instructed  to  replace  the  stakes  showing  the 
^  boundaries  of  the  City's  land  bordering  on  the  lake,  with  stone  posts. 

In  May,  after  the  completion  of  the  laying  of  the  new  main,  the  Board  sent 
a  communication  to  the  City  Council  (City  Document  No.  45,  1860),  giving  a 
full  account  of  the  undertaking. 


196  [1860. 

On  June  5th,  Mr.  Wilkins  sent  his  resignation  to  the  City  Council,  which 
was  accepted;  and,  on  July  2d,  L.  Miles  Standish  was  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy.  At  the  meetiag  of  the  Board,  June  6th,  they  passed  the  follow- 
ing resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  presented  to  the  Hon.  John  H. 
"Wilkins,  for  the  faithful,  impartial,  and  highly  satisfactory  manner  in  which 
he  has  discharged  the  important  duty  as  President  of  the  Cochituate  Water 
Board,  for  the  last  four  years  j  and  that  he  goes  into  retirement  with  our  high- 
est respect  as  a  gentleman,  and  an  honest  man. 

Mr.  Wilkins  survived  but  a  year  and  a  half  after  his  retirement  from  the 
Board,  having  died  December  5th,  1861,  at  the  age  of  66  years,  11  months, 
25  days.  Immediately  after  his  resignation,  Mr.  Johnson  was  elected  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board;   which  office  he  held  until  April  1865. 

Several  petitions  having  been  sent  to  the  City  Council,  from  various  persons 
in  the  City  of  Charlestown,  asking  to  have  their  cisterns  filled  with  the 
Cochituate  water,  by  means  of  hose  attached  to  the  fire  hydrants,  the  Board 
were  authorized  to  fill  the  same,  if  in  their  judgment  it  was  expedient ;  where- 
upon it  was  voted  to  grant  the  request :  and  the  Superintendent  of  the  Eastern 
Division  was  authorized  to  fill  the  cisterns,  and  to  charge  for  the  water  at  the 
rate  of  five  dollars  per  hour  while  running  through  the  hose. 

June  20th,  the  Board  sent  a  Communication  asking  for  authority,  and  an 
appropriation,  to  change  the  30-inch  pipe  to  a  36-inch,  from  Waltham  to  Dover 
Street,  636  feet.  July  14th,  authority  was  given  the  Board  to  make  the 
change,  and  an  appropriation  made  of  $16,000,  to  meet  the  expense;  and  in 
October,  a  further  appropriation  was  made  of  $2,000.  The  total  cost  was 
$17,398.26. 

In  the  month  of  December,  several  Skating  Parks  were  supplied  with  water, 
the  same  as  the  year  previous.  There  was  a  Committee  chosen,  during  the 
year,  to  consider  the  expediency  of  making  the  water  free;  but  they  reported, 
December  17th,  that  it  was  inexpedient.'  (City  Documents  on  the  subject  of 
Water,  for  1 8 60,  are  1 3,  45 . ) 


1861.] 


C  H  A  PTE  K     XX. 

1861  to  1864. 

Election  of  Water  Eegistrar  —  Election  and  organization  of  the  Water  Board  for  1861-2 

—  Additional  Act  for  the  protection  of  the  Works — Dudley  Pond  connected  with  the 
Lake  —  Lower  Dam  at  the  Lake  raised  —  Question  of  uniting  the  Water  Board's  and  Reg- 
istrar's offices  —  Hopper  Closets  —  Steam  Engine  purchased  for  machine  shop  —  But  one 
Service  Pipe  in  each  building  —  New  Fence  to  Warren  Bridge  —  New  Pipe  to  East  Boston 
recommended  —  Election  of  Water  Eegistrar,  1862— Water  for  the  Navy  Yard  —  Ordi- 
nance relating  to  the  election  of  Water  Board  —  Election  and  organization  of  the  Board 
for  1862-3  —  Black  Bass  put  into  Lake  and  Reservoir  —  First  mention  of  a  new  Reservoir 

—  Election  of  Water  Registrar  for  1863-4  —  Election  and  organization  of  the  Water  Board 
for  1863-4  —  Resignation  of  Mr.  Stanwood — Election  of  his  successor  —  Removal  of  office 
from  Washington  to  Chauncy  Street  —  Water  allowed  for  power  meters  —  Eight  to  give 
permission  to  open  Hydrants  —  Annual  visit  to  the  Lake  —  First  action  on  the  construction 
of  a  new  Reservoir  —  The  30-inch  mains  connected  on  the  Common. 

OjST  January  18th,  W.  F.  Davis  was  re-elected  "Water  Registrar,  and  the 
annual  election  of  members  of  the  Water  Board  took  place  on  February  18th, 
1861,  when  the  following  persons  were  chosen:  — 

Samuel  Hatch,  George  P.  French, 

Jabez  Frederick,  George  Dennie, 

Ebenezer  Johnson,  Samuel  Hall, 

L.  Miles  Standish. 
Messrs.  Hall  and  Standish,  however,  were  not  elected,  in  concurrence,  until 
February  25th.  They  met  for  organization  on  March  1st,  when  Ebenezer 
Johnson  was  re-elected  President,  and  Samuel  N.  Dyer,  Clerk ;  and  Messrs. 
Stanwood  and  Knowlton  were  re-chosen  Superintendents  of  their  respective 
departments.  It  was  also  voted  to  employ  Mr.  S.  N.  Dyer,  Jr.,  as  Assistant 
Clerk. 

The  Mayor  was  requested  May  13th,  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  addi- 
tional legislation  for  the  better  protection  of  the  Water  Works ;  and,  upon 
the  application  being  made,  an  act  was  passed  making  the  punishment  for 


198  [1862. 

corrupting  the  water,  or  injuring  any  of  the  works,  a  fine  not  exceeding  $1,000, 
and  imprisonment  not  exceeding  one  year ;  or  confinement  to  hard  labor,  in 
the  State  Prison,  for  a  term  not  exceeding  ten  years. 

The  only  act  of  importance  by  the  Board  this  year,  was  the  laying  of  an 
iron  18-inch  pipe  about  eight  hundred  feet  in  length,  to  connect  Dudley  Pond 
with  the  lake. 

On  November  29th,  the  vote  was  passed  to  make  this  connection;  and  the 
work  immediately  commenced.  It  was  completed,  and  the  water  let  into 
the  lake,  January  31st,  1862.  The  cost  of  making  this  connection  was 
$17,472.23. 

Among  the  votes  passed  by  the  Board  during  the  year,  which  are  of  histor- 
ical account,  were  the  following : 

July  2nd,  Mr.  Knowlton  was  instructed  to  raise  the  lower  dam  at  the 
lake. 

November  12th,  it  was  voted  that  on  and  after  January  1st,  1862,  no 
"hopper  closets"  should  be  allowed  to  be  placed  in  any  building  or  prem- 
ises to  which  the  Cochituate  water  is  supplied,  and  that  public  notice  be  given 
of  the  same.  The  Board  having  no  power  to  enforce  this  regulation,  it 
became  a  dead  letter. 

November  26th,  it  was  voted  to  put  a  steam  engine  into  the  machine  shop 
on  Federal  Street ;  previous  to  this,  the  works  had  been  run  by  an  hydraulic 
engine. 

December  24th,  it  was  voted  that  but  one  service-pipe  should  be  entered 
into  any  building,  unless  by  order  of  the  Board. 

In  their  Annual  Report,  the  Board  state  that  a  new  fender  had  been  put  on 
the  entire  length  of  Warren  Bridge  and  made  secure ;  and  they  also  recom- 
mend the  laying  of  another  pipe  of  a  larger  size  to  supply  Bast  Boston,  and 
that  it  be  carried  across  Meridian  Street  Bridge. 

1862. 

Mr.  William  F.  Davis  was  re-elected  Water  Registrar,  January  20th,  1862. 

On  February  17th,  the  United  States  Government  asked  to  have  the  Navy 
Yard  supplied  with  the  Cochituate  water ;  this  petition  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Water,  who  reported,  March  3d,  that  the  same  be  granted, 
under  such  regulations  and  conditions  as  the  Water  Board  should  deem  for 
the  interest  of  the  City ;  which  Report  was  accepted,  and  the  petition  was 
referred  to  the  Water  Board  with  full  power. 

June  11th,  water  was  granted  to  the  Navy  Yard  under  the  following  condi- 
tions, which  were  complied   with,  viz :  That   the  expense   of  the   pipe   and 


1862.]  199 

laying  it,  and  of  furnishing  a  metei";  should  be  paid  by  the  Government ;  the 
pipe  to  be  approved  by,  and  laid  under  the  supervision  of  the  Superinten- 
dent of  the  Eastern  Division,  and  the  meter  to  be  approved  by,  and  to  be 
under  the  control  of  the  Water  Board;  the  Board  also  reserving  the  right 
to  shut  off  the  water  whenever  it  was  deemed  expedient,  in  order  to  keep  up 
the  quantity  necessary  for  domestic  use  in  the  City.  This  supply  was  discon- 
tinued in  1865,  on  the  completion  of  the  Mystic  Water  Works. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1862,  the  present  Ordinance  relating  to  the  Election 
of  the  Water  Board  was  passed.  It  provides  that  the  Board  shall  consist  of 
seven  members ;  that  one  member  shall  be  elected  from  the  Board  of  Alder- 
men, two  members  from  the  Common  Council,  and  four  from  the  citizens  at 
large,  two  of  whom  shall  be  elected  for  one  year,  and  two  for  two  years ;  and 
that,  after  the  first  election,  there  shall  be  elected,  annually,  one  member  of 
the  Board  of  Aldermen,  two  members  of  the  Common  Council,  who  shall 
hold  their  office  for  one  year,  and  two  citizens  at  large,  who  shall  hold  their 
office  for  two  years. 

Previous  to  the  passage  of  this  Ordinance,  the  Board  consisted  of  one  mem- 
ber from  each  branch  of  the  City  Council,  and  five  members  from  the  citizens 
at  large,  all  of  whom  were  chosen  annually. 

The  annual  election  took  place  on  March  31st,  1862,  when  the  following 
persons  were  chosen :  — 

John  F.  Pray,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 
Jabez  Frederick  and  George  Hinman,  from  the  Common  Council. 
Ebenezer  Johnson  and  J.  C.  J.  Brown,  citizens  at  large  for  one  year. 
George  Dennie  and  George  P.  French,       "  "  "    two  years. 

The  Board  met  for  organization  April  2d,  when  Ebenezer  Johnson  was 
re-elected  President,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Jr.,  Assistant  Clerk,  and 
Messrs.  Stanwood  and  Knowlton,  Superintendents  of  their  respective  divi- 
sions. 

During  this  year,  the  only  transactions  of  interest  were  the  following: 

1st.  Through  the  liberality  of  S.  T.  Tisdale,  Esq.,  of  East  Wareham,  the 
Board  procured  some  black  bass  to  stock  the  Lake  and  Brookline  Reservoir, 
for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  eels  and  other  small  fish  which  get  into  the 
pipe,  and  cause  much  trouble  and  expense.  This  has  evidently  remedied  the 
evil. 

2d.     The  completion  of  the  connection  of  Dudley  Pond,  January  31st. 


200  [1863. 

3d.     The  settling  of  the  claims  for  drawing  down  the  water  from  Dudley 
Pond.     This,  however,  was  not  completed  until  December  29th,  1866. 


In  the  Annual  Report  for  this  year,  the  first  mention  of  the  want  of  a  new 
Reservoir  is  made  thus :  "  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  it  will  be  for 
the  interest  of  the  City,  at  some  future  time,  when  the  affairs  of  our  country 
are  in  a  more  prosperous  condition,  to  build  a  new  Reservoir,  somewhere 
near  this  end  of  the  Aqueduct,  for  the  storage  of  all  surplus  water  which  the 
lake  can  furnish ;  it  would  also  be  of  great  importance  in  case  of  any  acci- 
dent to  the  Aqueduct,  for  we  should  thus  be  better  able  to  furnish  the  City 
with  water  while  repairing." 

1863. 

William  F.  Davis  was  re-elected  Water  Registrar,  February  12th,  1863; 
and  on  March  30th,  the  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board  took  place,  when 
tlie  following  persons  were  chosen :  — 

L.  Miles  Standish,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Jabez  Frederick  and  George  Hinman,  from  the  Common  Council. 

Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee  and  Ebenezer  Johnson,  citizens  at  large,  for  two 
years. 

The  members  of  the  old  Board,  whose  term  had  not  expired,  were  George 
Dennie  and  George  P.  French. 

They  met  for  organization  April  6th,  when  Ebenezer  Johnson  was  re- 
elected President,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Jr.,  Assistant  Clerk,  and 
Messrs.  Stanwood  and  Knowlton,  Superintendents  of  the  Eastern  and  Western 
Divisions. 

Mr.  Albert  Stanwood,  Superintendent  of  the  Eastern  Division,  sent  in  his 
resignation,  which  was  laid  on  the  table ;  but,  on  July  1st,  it  was  accepted, 
and  Mr.  Ezekiel  R.  Jones  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  On  motion  of  Mr. 
Frederick,  The  following  vote  was  passed : 

Ordered,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  tendered  to  Mr.  Albert  Stan- 
wood, for  the  highly  satisfactory  manner  in  which  he  has  performed  the  duties 
of  Superintendent  of  the  Eastern  Division,  and  he  retires  from  this  depart- 
ment with  our  best  wishes  for  his  success.  And  it  was  Ordered,  That  as  a 
mark  of  appreciation  of  his  services,  Mr.  Stanwood's  pay  be  made  up  to  the 
first  of  October  next. 


1863.]  201 

There  had  been  considerable  discussion  in  regard  to  uniting  the  office 
rooms  of  the  Water  Board  and  Water  Registrar,  ever  since  the  first 
organization  of  the  Board ;  and,  April  2 2d,  Messrs.  Johnson,  Standish  and 
Bradlee  were  chosen  a  Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  such 
union,  and  report. 

At  the  next  meeting,  they  reported  in  favor  of  moving  to  Chauncy  Street, 
in  the  room  adjoining  the  one  to  which  the  Water  Registrar  had  just  removed, 
on  account  of  the  rebuilding  of  the  City  Hall,  and  the  Report  was  accepted  by 
a  vote  of  four  to  three.  The  same  Committee  were  authorized,  with  full 
power,  to  move  the  office  before  July  1st.  This  vote  was  carried  into  effect 
June  3d. 

August  15th,  leave  was  given  to  the  Boston  Music  Hall  Association  to  use  a 
"  power  meter,"  to  blow  their  Organ,  and  on  September  9th  leave  was  granted 
to  the  Second  Church,  for  the  same  purpose. 

September  9th,  a  Resolution  was  passed,  that  the  right  to  give  permission 
to  open  Hydrants  was  vested  in  this  Board  only.  This  was  passed  because 
several  persons  connected  with  the  different  departments  of  the  work  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  giving  permits  to  open  them;  and  the  Board  decided 
that  it  must  be  stopped,  as  no  one  was  responsible.  Notice  of  the  above 
resolution  was  given  to  all  persons  interested. 

Previous  to  this  year,  the  annual  visit  of  the  City  Government  to  the  Lake 
was  by  order  of  the  City  Council,  they  inviting  the  Board ;  this  year,  however 
the  Board  believing  it  to  be  for  the  interest  of  the  City  that  they  should  have 
the  control  and  management  of  these  visits,  invited  the  City  Government  to 
accompany  them  to  the  Lake  on  Friday,  September  25th,  and  the  invita- 
tion was  accepted. 

The  subject  of  a  new  Reservoir  was  brought  directly  before  the  Board,  for 
action,  on  October  21st,  1863,  by  the  following  Order. 

Ordered,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  the  safety  and  convenience  of 
the  citizens  of  Boston  require  an  additional  Reservoir,  either  in  the  town  of 
Newton,  Brookline,  or  Brighton;  and  in  order  to  facilitate  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  object,  the  Committee  on  the  Western  Division  is  hereby 
instructed  to  ascertain  if  a  suitable  lot  of  land,  not  less  than  one  hundred 
acres,  can  be  obtained  for  that  purpose ;  and,  if  possible,  to  obtain  a  bond 
for  a  deed  of  the  same,  running  not  exceeding  six  months ;  and  said  commit- 
tee are  also  authorized  to  cause  surveys  to  be  made  of  the  same,  and  to 
report  to  the  Board,  as  early  as  possible.     A  Committee  was  chosen,  but 

26 


202 


[1863. 


no  definite  action  was  taken,  except  the  selection  of  the  present  location  of 
the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  as  the  one  best  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  City, 

During  this  year,  the  30-inch  main  on  the  Common  was  connected  with  the 
main  running  thi-ough  Boylston  Street.  There  being  no  connection  between 
these  pipes,  except  at  Chester  Park,  it  was  thought  best  to  unite  them  on  the 
Common,  in  case  of  accident  or  break. 

The  settlement  of  the  claims  for  drawing  down  the  water  of  Dudley  Pond, 
most  of  which  were  settled  this  year,  were  as  follows :  — 


To  John  M.  Wiggin,  of  Wayland,      July  22,  1862, 

"  Ebenezer  Johnson,  of  Boston,      August  29,     " 

«  J.  M.  Bradshaw,  of  Wayland,       October  11,     " 

«  James  A.  Loker,      "  December  10,     " 

«  George  Bullard,  of  Framingham,        "  29,     " 
«  Samuel  M.  Thomas,  of  Wayland,  January         7, 1863, 
«  Thomas  J.  Damon,  of  Natick,           "  7,      " 

«  Patrick  Coughlin,  of  Wayland,        "  7,      " 

«  Thomas  McCam,         "  «  7,      " 

«  Lois  Sanders,  "  "  7,      " 

"  Thomas  P.  Hammond,  of  Natick,  March  4,      " 

«  Samuel  D.  Reeves,  of  Wayland,       "  9,      " 

«  Lucretia  Reeves,        "  May  9,      " 

«  James  M.  Burt,  «  November      4,      " 

«  W.  H.  Hills,  «  "  9,      « 

«  Clarissa  H.  Dudley,  of  Concord,  December    22,     " 
«  Cynthia  Hammond,  of  Wayland,  June  7,  1864, 

"  Edward  Rice,  of  Brighton,  December  29,      " 


$125 

50 

150 

50 

50 

350 

225 

75 

60 

60 

200 

12 

6 

200 

730 

225 

25 

100 


Total  payments, $2,693 


1864] 


CHAPTER     XXI. 

1864  TO  January  1868. 

Election  of  Water  Eegistrar  for  1864-5  —  Right  purchased  to  divert  the  water  of  Broad 
Brook  —  Election  and  organization  of  the  Water  Board  for  1864-5  —  Election  of  Superin- 
tendents and  Clerlis  —  Copies  of  Deeds  to  and  from  the  City  —  Board  to  give  permission 
to  lay  main  pipe  —  Leave  granted  to  maintain  the  pipe  over  the  Mill-dam  —  Waste  of 
water  and  appointment  of  Inspectors  —  Action  of  the  Board  and  City  Council  on  the 
subject  of  a  new  Reservoir  —  Application  of  Meters  —  Ordinances  passed  during  the  year 
1864  —  Change  in  the  Water  Rates  for  measured  water  —  Election  of  Water  Board  for 
1805-6  —  Vote  of  thanks  to  the  President  —  Organization  of  the  Board,  and  election  of 
Clerks  and  Superintendents  —  Act  authorizing  the  City  to  build  new  Reservoir  —  Leave 
granted  to  purchase  land,  and  make  surveys  —  Land  and  Construction  Committees 
appointed — Change  in  the  location  of  Beacon  Street  —  Land  purchased  for  Reservoir  — 
Second  appropriation  for  Land  granted — Estimates  of  cost  —  Lawrence  Meadow  added  — 
Third  appropriation  for  Land  —  Order  for  the  Board  to  construct  Reservoirs  —  First 
appropriation  for  construction  —  Contract  for  Meters  —  Petition  for  damages  to  goods 
kept  under  the  sidewalk,  and  Report  thereon  —  Abatement  of  charge  by  Meter  for 
unavoidable  waste  —  Water  for  Fountains  —  Raising  Pipe  on  Tremont  Street  —  Return  of 
the  Spade  —  Change  of  time  for  making  Annual  Report  —  Brookline  Taxes  —  Several 
questions  submitted  to  the  City  Solicitor  and  his  reply  —  Engineer's  Report  on  Levels 
at  the  Lake  —  Question  of  removing  the  Conduit  considered  and  decided  —  Appoint- 
ment of  Resident  Engineer  at  Reservoir  —  Examination  of  the  South  Boston  Main 
Pipe  —  Death  of  Edward  F.  Knowlton  —  Appointment  of  Albert  Stan  wood  as  Superinten- 
dent at  Reservoir —  Election  of  Water  Board  for  1866-7,  and  their  Organization  —  Work 
on  the  Reservoir  —  Resignation  of  Otis  Norcross  as  President  —  Election  of  John  H. 
Thorndike  as  President  —  Election  of  Registrar  —  Election  of  Water  Board  for  1867-8  — 
Letter  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  annexation  of  Roxbury  to  Boston,  and  reply  of  the 
Board  —  Organization  of  the  Board  —  Library  for  the  Water  Board  —  Strength  of  Water 
Pipes  —  Acceptance  of  Mr.  Gardner  Brewer's  offer  of  a  Fountain  for  the  Common  —  Annual 
Report  of  the  Board  —  Bridge  over  Railroad  at  Tremont  Street  —  Freshet  —  Quantity 
of  water  for  each  inhabitant  —  Magnesium  Light  for  examining  Aqueduct  —  Drinking 
Fountains  —  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir —  Results  of  system  of  Inspectors  —  Cost  of  Works. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  1864j  William  F.  Davis  was  re-elected  "Water 
Registrar. 

March   23d,  the  Committee  on  the  Western  Division  were  authorized  to 


204  [1864. 

purchase  the  right  to  draw  the  water  of  Broad  Brook  on  the  east  side  of  Dug 
Pond ;  and  they  secured  the  right  forever,  by  the  payment  of  five  hundred 
dollars. 

The  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board,  for  1864-5,  took  place  March  3d, 
1864,  when  the  following  persons  were  chosen:  — 

L.  Miles  Standish,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Jonas  Fitch  and  Alexander  Wadsworth,  from  the  Common  Council. 

George  Dennie  and  Martin  Brimmer,  citizens  at  large. 

The  terms  of  Messrs.  Ebenezer  Johnson  and  Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee  were 
unexpired. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  Mr.  Brimmer  declined ;  and  on  the  24th,  Mr.  John  H. 
Thorndike  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

They  met  for  organization  April  4th,  when  Ebenezer  Johnson  was  re-elected 
President,  and  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk;  and  on  May  11th,  Messrs.  Knowlton  and 
Jones  were  re-elected  Superintendents,  and  S.  N.  Dyer,  Jr.,  Assistant  Clerk. 

April  4th,  a  vote  was  passed,  directing  that  copies  of  all  the  Deeds  to 
and  from  the  City  concerning  the  Water  Works  should  be  made  under  the 
supervision  of  Messrs.  Johnson  and  Thorndike.  This  work  was  commenced 
the  next  year,  and  completed  in  the  year  following. 

It  having  been  the  custom  to  lay  a  main  pipe  in  any  street  where  water  was 
required,  without  asking  permission  of  the  Board,  it  was  voted,  that  in  future 
no  main  pipe  should  be  laid  without  their  approval. 

May  13th,  the  act  giving  the  right  to  maintain  the  Main  over  the  Mill-dam 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  as  follows : 

"  Section  1 .  The  City  of  Boston  shall  have  the  right  to  maintain  its  water  pipes 
as  the  same  are  now  laid,  in  the  Mill-dam  and  other  lands  of  the  Commonwealth 
in  and  near  said  city,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  act,  provided,  that  any 
person  whose  property  is  injured  thereby  shall  have  his  damages  ascertained,  and 
paid  in  the  manner  set  forth  in  the  several  acts  to  which  this  is  in  addition  ;  and 
provided,  further,  that  if,  at  any  time  hereafter,  the  legislature  shall  order  a  draw 
to  be  made  through  the  said  mill-dam,  or  other  lands  on  the  line  of  said  pipes, 
for  the  purposes  of  navigation,  the  City  of  Boston  shall  so  adapt  its  said  pipes, 
at  the  locality  of  the  draw,  as  not  to  interfere  with  a  free  passage  of  boats  and 
vessels  through  such  draw. 

"  Sect.  2.  Said  city  may  enter  upon  and  dig  up  the  ground  in  said  Mill-dam 
and  other  lands,  when  necessary,  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  or  replacing  said 
pipes  ;  provided,  Jiowever,  that  said  Mill-dam  and  lands  shall  be  restored  by  said 
city  to  as  good  order  and  condition  as  the  same  were  in  before  such  digging  is 
commenced,  and  that  the  work  shall  be  done,  in  such  manner  and  with  such  care, 


1864]  205 

as  not  to  render  any  road,  street  or  way,  in  which  said  pipes  are  laid,  unsafe  or 
unnecessarily  inconvenient  to  the  public  travel  thereon. 

Sect,  3.  The  City  of  Boston  shall  at  all  times  save  harmless  and  indemnify 
the  Commonwealth,  and  any  city  or  town  which  may  become  liable  to  keep  in 
repair  any  road,  street  or  way  aforesaid,  against  all  damages  which  may  be 
recovered  against  them  respectively,  and  shall  reimburse  to  them  respectively  all 
expenses  which  they  shall  reasonably  incur  by  reason  of  any  defect  or  want  of 
repair  in  such  road,  street  or  way,  caused  by  the  maintenance,  repairing  or 
replacing  of  said  pipes,  or  by  reason  of  any  injury  to  persons  or  property  caused 
by  any  defect  or  want  of  repair  in  said  pipes,  provided  that  said  city  shall  have 
due  and  seasonable  notice  of  all  claims  for  such  damages  or  injury,  and  oppor- 
tunity to  make  a  legal  defence  thereto. 

"  Sect.  4.     This  Act  shall  take  effect  from  its  passage." 

October  12th,  on  account  of  the  low  state  of  the  water  in  the  lake,  and  the 
enormous  waste  in  the  city,  it  was  voted  to  give  public  notice  in  the  newspapers^ 
and,  also,  to  send  a  notice  to  each  house,  calling  upon  the  citizens  to  use  every 
means  in  their  power  to  prevent  the  waste.  A  few  weeks  later,  the  Mayor 
also  issued  a  notice  stating  the  exigency  of  the  case,  and  the  importance  of 
saving  the  water. 

These  notices  had  a  very  good  effect,  but  were  not  by  any  means  sufficient 
to  put  a  stop  to  the  evil ;  and  it  was  therefore  voted,  December  21st,  to  employ 
twenty  men  as  special  Inspectors  to  visit  and  inspect  the  premises  of  every 
water-taker,  and  report  daily  at  the  office  all  cases  of  waste.  This  was 
immediately  carried  into  execution,  and  the  result  was,  that  the  quantity  drawn 
was  reduced  one-half. 

During  the  year  the  subject  of  a  new  Reservoir  was  constantly  before  the 
Board,  and  several  private  interviews  in  relation  to  the  same  were  held 
with  the  Mayor  and  members  of  the  City  Government.  August  31st,  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Board  was  chosen  to  consider  the  subject  and  report ;  and  Sep- 
tember 19th,  they  made  a  verbal  Report,  accompanied  by  two  plans  of  location 
submitted  by  Mr.  Crafts,  City  Engineer ;  one,  the  present  location,  comprising 
one  hundred  acres,  and  the  other,  about  fifty  acres,  situated  between  Chestnut 
Hill  and  Webber's  Barn ;  and  the  Board  decided  unanimously  to  recommend 
to  the  City  Council  the  adoption  of  the  location  for  the  one  of  the  larger 
size.  September  28th,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  bonds  for 
deeds,  but  they  were  unable  to  obtain  them. 

July  25th,  an  Ordinance  was  passed  in  regard  to  laying  pipes  in  unac- 
cepted streets.     (See  Ordinances,  1864,  pages  89  and  90.) 

August  10th,  a  petition  was  sent  by  Holmes  and  others  to  the  City  Council 


206  [1865. 

to  have  the  Cochituate  water  supplied  to  the  houses  on  Lawrence  Street,  the 
Board  having  refused  to  supply  them,  as  the  street  was  below  grade.  (See 
City  Document,  No.  68.) 

September  14th,  a  filtering  dam  was  ordered  to  be  erected  at  Pegan  Brook. 

October  12th,  the  President  was  authorized  to  communicate  to  the  City 
Council  the  absolute  necessity  of  a  new  Reservoir ;  this  communication  was 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  had  several  interviews  with  the 
Board,  and  also  visited  the  proposed  location  in  company  with  the  Mayor  and 
Aldermen,-  and,  on  October  17th,  an  Order  was  passed  by  the  City  Council 
requesting  the  Mayor  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an  act  to  enable  the  City 
to  build  such  a  Reservoir,  and  to  raise  money  to  defray  the  expense  thereof 
and  a  petition  was  forwarded  by  him  accordingly. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  the  Committee  on  Water  recommended  the  passage 
of  the  following  Orders,  which  were  adopted  by  the  City  Council,  and 
approved  by  the  Mayor,  December  13th: 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  author- 
ized to  purchase  such  land  as  they  may  deem  expedient  and  necessary  for  the 
location  of  a  new  Reservoir  on  the  line  of  the  Aqueduct,  at  a  cost  not  exceed- 
ing Fifty  Thousand  Dollars. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  be  and  hereby  is  authorized  to  borrow,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  the  sum  of  Fifty  Thousand  Dol- 
lars, the  same  to  be  appropriated  to  the  purchase  of  land  by  the  Cochituate 
Water  Board  for  a  new  Reservoir. 

December  13th,  it  was  voted  by  the  Board  that  in  all  buildings  which  are 
or  shall  be  supplied  with  the  Cochituate  water  through  meters,  the  water-rate 
for  each  building  may  be  assessed  or  taxed  to  the  owner  or  occupant  thereof 
without  reference  to  the  number  of  tenants  there  may  be  in  such  building. 
This  was  passed  by  yeas  and  nays ;  Messrs.  Johnson,  Dennie,  Bradlee,  Fitch 
and  Wadsworth  voting  in  the  afl&rmative,  and  Messrs.  Standish  and  Thorndike 
voting  in  the  negative.  It  was  also  voted,  on  the  same  day,  six  to  one,  the 
President  voting  in  the  negative,  to  recommend  to  the  City  Government  to 
adopt  a  uniform  rate  of  three  cents  per  hundred  gallons  for  measured  water. 

December  21st,  a  new  Ordinance  was  passed  in  regard  to  the  use  of  hose. 

1865. 

The  recommendations  of  the  Water  Board  in  regard  to  the  Rate  for 
measured  water  was  referred  by  the  City  Council  back  to  the  Board,  with 
instructions  to  give  a  hearing  to  Messrs.  Harvey  D.  Parker  and  others,  the 


1865.]  207 

petitioners.  The  hearing  took  place  January  13th,  1865;  and  on  tl  j 
28th,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  exact  amount  of  water 
consumed  in  twenty-four  hours,  and  report  to  the  Board.  The  investiga- 
tion of  this  committee,  with  the  views  of  the  Board  who  still  recommended, 
with  one  exception,  the  adoption  of  the  three-cent  rate,  were  submitted  to 
the  City  Council  March  11.     (City  Document,  No.  35.) 

April  3d,  Messrs.  H.  D.  Parker  and  others,  not  satisfied  with  the  Report 
of  the  Water  Board,  upon  the  hearing  given  them  by  direction  of  the  City 
Council,  again  petitioned  that  body  for,  and  obtained  a  hearing  before  the 
Committee  on  Water.  No  action  being  taken  on  the  subject,  Joseph  F.  Paul 
and  others  sent  a  Petition,  asking  that  a  uniform  rate  might  be  immediately 
adopted;  and  on  the  29th  of  April,  the  Board  of  Aldermen  passed  an  ordi- 
nance, making  the  rate  two  and  a  half  cents,  which,  by  a  vote  of  the  Council, 
on  June  6th,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water.  This  committee  made 
their  Report,  September  28th,  recommending  three  cents.  (City  Document, 
No.  69.)  The  Board  of  Aldermen,  however,  passed  the  ordinance  by  substi- 
tuting two  cents  and  a  half,  and  the  Council  refused  to  concur. 

October  5th,  the  Water  Board  sent  to  the  City  Council  a  second  communi- 
cation, giving  a  financial  statement,  showing  the  annual  expenses  and  interest 
on  the  cost  of  the  Water  Works,  and  the  deficiency  of  tHe  annual  income 
therefrom,  and  urging  the  necessity  of  the  three  cent  rate.  (City  Document, 
No.  76.) 

A  Committee  of  conference  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Council  reported 
October  30th,  that  they  were  unable  to  agree.  November  22d,  after  several 
proposed  amendments,  which  were  non-concurred  in  by  the  Common  Council, 
the  present  three-cent  rate  was  adopted. 

The  annual  Election  of  members  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  for  1865-6, 
took  place  February  9th,  when  the  following  persons  were  chosen: 

L.  Miles  Standish,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Jonas  Fitch  and  Alexander  Wadsworth,  from  the  Common  CouncU. 

Otis  Norcross  and  Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee,  for  two  years. 

The  terms  of  George  Dennie  and  John  H.  Thorndike  were  unexpired. 

The  new  Board  met  for  organization  April  3d,  when  Otis  Norcross  was 
elected  President,  and  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk,  and  S.  N.  Dyer,  Jr.,  Assistant  Clerk, 
and  E.  F.  Knowlton  and  E.  R.  Jones,  Superintendents.  William  F.  Davis 
was  re-elected  Water  Registrar,  February  27th. 

March  29th,  being  the  last  meeting  of  the  previous  Board,  it  was  voted,  on 


208  [1865. 

motion  of  Mr,  Dennie,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Board  be  presented  to  the  Presi- 
dent, Ebenezer  Johnson,  Esq.,  for  his  prompt,  efficient,  faithful  and  valuable 
services,  rendered  to  the  City  of  Boston  for  the  past  eight  years,  as  a  member 
of  this  department  of  the  Government,  and  that  this  vote  be  placed  upon  the 
records  of  the  Board. 


One  of  the  most  important  transactions  of  the  year  was  the  commencement 
of  the  new  Reservoir,  which,  by  a  vote  of  the  Board,  passed  May  9th,  will  be 
known  as  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoie. 

February  24th,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  confer  with  the  City  Solicitor  in 
regard  to  the  hearing  on  the  Petition  before  the  Legislature  for  power  to  con- 
struct this  Reservoir ;  and,  at  his  request,  several  members  of  the  Board  were 
present  at  the  hearing.  As  no  one  appeared  to  object,  the  following  Act  was 
reported  and  finally  passed  by  the  Legislature,  and  approved  by  the  Governor, 
April  4th. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

1865. 

An  Act  to  authorize  the  City  of  Boston  to  build  an  additional  Reservoir. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court 
assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same  as  follows  : 

Section  1.  The  City  of  Boston  is  hereby  authorized,  by  and  through  the 
agency  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  therein,  or  by  and  through  any  other 
agency  which  shall  be  established  therefor  by  the  City  Council  of  said  city,  to 
construct  and  maintain  an  additional  Reservoir  for  receiving,  holding  and  distrib- 
uting water  ;  and,  for  this  purpose,  may  take  and  hold,  by  purchase  or  otherwise, 
any  lands  or  real  estate,  not  exceeding  two  hundred  acres,  in  the  towns  of  New- 
ton, Brighton  and  Brookline,  and  lying  between  the  air-line  Railroad,  the  present 
line  of  the  said  city's  Aqueduct  and  Beacon  Street  on  the  south,  Rockland  and 
Brighton  streets  on  the  east.  South  Street  on  the  north,  and  a  street  leading  from 
said  South  Street  to  said  Beacon  Street  on  the  west ;  provided,  however,  that  no 
part  of  the  tract  of  land,  comprising  the  Evergreen  Cemetery  in  the  town  of 
Brighton,  shall  be  so  taken  and  held  otherwise  than  by  purchase. 

Sect.  2.  The  City  of  Boston  may  also,  by  and  through  the  same  agency,  lay 
and  maintain  one  or  more  suitable  lines  of  pipes  from  the  said  Reservoir  to  a 
convenient  point  in  its  line  of  pipes  leading  from  its  Reservoir  in  said  Brookline 
to  said  city,  and  may  take  and  hold  by  purchase  or  otherwise  such  lands  or 
real  estate  as  may  be  necessary  therefor;  and  may  carry  and  conduct  the  said 
pipes  over  or  under  any  water  course,  or  any  street,  turnpike  road,  railroad,  high- 
way or  other  way,  in  such  manner  as  not  to  obstruct  or  impede  travel  thereon ; 


1865.]  209 

and  may  enter  upon,  and  dig  up  any  such  road,  street,  or  way,  for  the  purpo&e  oi 
laying  the  said  pipe,  and  for  maintaining  and  repairing  the  same. 
-  Sect.  3.  The  City  of  Boston  shall  at  all  times  save  harmless  and  indemnify 
any  city  or  town  which  may  become  liable  to  keep  in  repair  any  road,  street  or 
way  aforesaid,  against  all  damages  which  may  be  recovered  against  them  respec- 
tively, and  shall  reimburse  to  them  respectively  all  expenses  which  they  shall 
reasonably  incur  by  reason  of  any  defect  or  want  of  repair  in  such  road,  street, 
or  way,  caused  by  the  maintenance,  repairing  or  replacing  of  said  pipes,  or  by 
reason  of  any  injury  to  persons  or  property  caused  by  any  defect  or  want  of 
repair  in  said  pipes  ;  provided  that  said  city  shall  have  due  and  reasonable 
notice  of  all  claims  for  such  damages  or  injury,  and  opportunity  to  make  a  legal 
defence  thereto. 

Sect.  4.  The  City  of  Boston  shall  be  liable  to  pay  all  damages  that  shall  be 
sustained  by  any  persons  in  their  property  by  the  taking  of  any  land  or  real 
estate  as  aforesaid,  or  by  any  of  its  doings  under  this  act ;  and  in  regard  to  such 
taking,  and  the  ascertainment  and  payment  of  all  such  damages,  the  City  of 
Boston,  and  all  persons  claiming  damages,  shall  have  all  the  rights,  immunities 
and  remedies,  and  be  subject  to  all  the  duties,  liabilities  and  obligations  which 
are  provided  in  the  one  hundred  and  sixty-seventh  chapter  of  the  acts  of  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  the  one  hundred  and  eighty-seventh 
chapter  of  the  acts  of  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-nine,  and 
the  three  hundred  and  sixteenth  chapter  of  the  acts  of  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty. 

Sect.  5.  For  the  purpose  of  defraying  all  the  costs  and  expenses  of  such  land 
and  real  estate  as  shall  be  taken,  purchased  or  held  for  the  pm-poses  mentioned  in 
this  act,  and  of  'Constructing  said  Reservoir,  laying  said  pipes,  and  doing  all  other 
things  incident  thereto,  the  said  City  Council  shall  have  authority  to  issue,  froni 
time  to  time,  notes,  scrips,  or  certificates  of  debts,  to  such  an  amount  as  may  be 
necessary,  and  in  such  form,  on  such  length  of  time,  and  bearing  such  rate  of 
interest,  not  exceeding  six  per  centum  per  annum,  as  they  shall  deem  expedient. 

Sect.  6.     This  act  shall  take  efiect  upon  its  passage. 

House  of  Representatives,  April  1st,  1865  —  Passed  to  be  enacted. 

ALEX.  H.  BULLOCK,  Speaker. 

In  Senate,  April  4th,  1865  —  Passed  to  be  enacted. 

J.  E.  FIELD,  President, 

April  4th,  1865  —  Approved. 

JOHN  A.  ANDREW 

27 


210  [1865. 

On  April  Stli,  the  Board  asked  for  authority  from  the  City  Council  to  pur- 
chase land  for  the  Reservoir,  and  on  the  10th,  the  following  Orders  were 
passed,  which  were  approved  by  the  Mayor  on  the  24th. 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  lae,  and  they  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  take  and  hold  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  any  lands  or  real  estate,  not 
exceeding  two  hundred  acres,  in  the  towns  of  Newton,  Brighton  and  Brook- 
line,  [then  follows  a  description  of  location,  the  same  as  in  the  act  before 
referred  to,]  pursuant  to  the  provisions,  and  subject  to  the  conditions  of  an 
act  of  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts,  passed  April  4th,  1865,  entitled,  "  an 
Act  to  authorize  the  city  of  Boston  to  build  an  additional  Reservoir." 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be  also  authorized  to  make 
surveys,  and  report  to  the  City  Council  plans  and  estimates  of  the  construc- 
tion of  the  proposed  Reservoir,  and  that  the  expense  of  this  and  the  preced- 
ing orders  be  charged  to  the  appropriation  authorized  for  this  purpose, 
on  the  13th  of  December,  1864. 

After  the  passage  of  the  preceding  act  of  the  Legislature  and  the  orders  of 
the  City  Council,  it  became  necessary  that  the  Board  should  take  immediate 
action  thereon,  and  on  April  26th,  the  following  committees  were  appointed  for 
that  purpose  :— 

On  the  purchase  of  land,  Messrs.  Norcross,  Dennie,  Wadsworth  and  Fitch. 
On  construction,  Messrs.  Norcross,  Standish,  Bradlee  and  Thorndike. 

These  committees  immediately  commenced  active  operations,  the  former  in 
the  purchase  of  land,  and  the  latter,  in  consulting  with  the  City  Engineer,  in 
preparing  the  plans  and  estimates.  Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the 
plans,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  increase  the  size  of  the  Reservoir  by  adding 
the  tract  of  land  lying  south  of  Beacon  Street,  east  of  Chestnut  Hill  and  north 
of  the  Charles  River  Railroad,  if  Beacon  Street  at  this  locality  could  be 
discontinued,  and  a  new  road  around  the  addition  substituted  therefor. 

Accordingly,  the  President  was  authorized  to  petition  the  County  Commis- 
sioners to  discontinue  that  portion  of  said  street,  which  he  did  on  the 
29th  of  May;  a  hearing  was  had  on  the  premises,  before  the  County  Commis- 
sioners, July  12th,  and  the  petition  was  granted  at  that  time,  no  one  appearing 
in  opposition  thereto. 

The  first  purchase  of  land  for  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir  was  made  on  July 
11th,  of  Theodore  Monroe,  The  total  amount  purchased  to  May  31st,  1867, 
was  as  follows :  -^ 


1865.]  211 

Date.  A.  Qr.  Rds.    Ft.  Amount. 

July  11th,  1865,  of  Theodore  Monroe,     13  1  38  40   Consideration,  $8,093  00 

"      13th,     "  "   Elizabeth  A.  Brown,  10  3  24  0  "  6,540  00 

"      13th,     "  «    C.  H.  B.  Breck,  8  0  27  0  "  4,901  25 

Aug.    1st,     "  "   Andrew  J-  Monroe,     6  3  34  0  "  4,177  50 

"        1st,  "  "    Sarah  Monroe,  et  al.,18  3     0  0  "  11,250  00 

"         2d,  "  "   William  Warren,       22  2     0  0  "            •    10,000  00 

"      30th,  "  "    Mary  Ward,               17  2  31  0  "  8,846  87 

Oct.    4th,  "  "   Heirs ofDana Dowse,  17  2  36  59  "  9,000  00 

"     16th,  "  "   Henry  Lee,  Jr.,             5  0  26  0  "  2,581  25 

Dec.   8th,  "  "   Amos  A.  Lawrence,   58  1     1  0  "  31,481  87 

Jan.  30th,  1866, "    George  A.  Wilson,     20  0     3  0  "  12,011  25 

Feb.  16th,  "  "   Jonas  Stone,                   0  3     9  0  "  750  00 

Mch.    5th,  "  "  Daniel  Knowles,             3  0  28  0  "  693  75 

April  13th,   "  "  William  White,  1  2  18  0  •'  1,500  00 

May  19  th,  "  "   Heirs  of  James  Brown,  2  2     8  0  •'  1,730  00 

Nov.  17th,  "  "   Daniel  Knowles,            2  2  31  0  '*  3,232  50 

"      17th,  "  "    William  White,              0  1     0  215  -^  808  10 

Dec.      3d,  "  "   Amos  A.  Lawrence,       1  0  33  0  "  1,206  25 

Area  of  Beacon  Street,  discontinued,  3  0     6  188  " 


Total  area  and  cost,  212  2  34  233  $118,803  59 

Several  acres  can  be  sold,  on  the  completion  of  the  Reservoir,  with  such 
restrictions  as  may  be  necessary  to  protect  its  margin.  In  the  deed  from 
Daniel  Knowles,  it  is  stated  that  no  Slaughter  House  or  Piggery  shall  be 
erected  upon  the  land  adjoining  that  sold  to  the  City  of  Boston,  and  lying 
between  that  sold  and  the  road.  All  the  titles  were  examined  by  W.  P. 
Thompson,  Esq.,  of  East  Cambridge. 

The  original  appropriation  of  $50,000  for  the  purchase  of  land  having  been 
expended,  the  Board,  July  14th,  asked  for  a  further  appropriation  of  $30,000, 
which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Water,  who  reported  in  favor  of 
granting  the  same,  and  an  Order  was  passed,  authorizing  the  Treasurer  to 
borrow  the  amount,  and  approved  by  the  Mayor,  September  9th. 

The  committee,  in  their  Report,  state  that  "  they  have  visited  the  location 
of  the  new  Reservoir,  and  are  of  the  opinion  that  a  lot  of  land,  known  as  the 
'  Lawrence  Meadow,'  should  be  purchased,  and  added  to  the  proposed  Reser- 
voir " ;  according  to  their  suggestion,  the  City  Council  passed  the  following 
Order,  August  7th : 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  inquire  and  report  to  the  City 
Council  for  what  sum  the  "  Lawrence  Meadow,"  so  called,  can  be  purchased, 


212  [1865. 

and  also  what  will,  be  the  additional  expense  of  extending  the  dimensions  of 
the  new  Reservoir  so  as  to  include  said  meadow  within  its  limits. 

In  compliance  with  this  Order,  and  the  one  passed  April  24th,  before 
referred  to,  the  Board  sent  a  communication  to  the  City  Council,  October  16th, 
(City  Document  No.  85,)  covering  the  approximate  estimates,  amounting  to 
$779,024,  without  the  Lawrence  Meadow,  which  would  add  $122,340,  a  total 
cost  of  $901,364.  It  also  stated  that  "in  case  it  is  found,  after  a  careful 
examination,  best  and  necessary  to  carry  the  Conduit  around  the  Lawrence 
Meadow,  instead  of  allowing  it  to  remain  in  its  present  position,  there  will  be 
an  additional  cost  of  about  $15,000. 

In  the  same  report,  they  state  that 
The  water  area  of  the  Lower  Reservoir  is  about  92  acres. 
"  "       "        Lawrence  Meadow  is      .  34    " 

Total .  126   " 

Total  capacity  of  both     .         .      730,000,000  gallons. 
Capacity  of  Lower  Reservoir  for  the  depth  of  ten  feet 

below  high-water  mark  is 300,564,000  gallons. 

Capacity  of  Lawrence  Meadow  for  the  depth  of  ten 

feet  below  high-water  mark  is 110,600,000      " 


411,064,000  " 
They  also  say :  "  The  Water  Board  are  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that 
it  will  be  for  the  interest  of  the  City  to  include  the  '  Lawrence  Meadow '  in 
the  proposed  Reservoir."  This  communication  was  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Water,  who  reported,  October  30th,  in  favor  of  adding  the  "  Lawrence 
Meadow,"  and  recommended  the  passage  of  the  following  Orders,  which  were 
passed,  and  approved  by  the  Mayor,  November  10th: 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be,  and  they  hereby  are  au- 
thorized to  take,  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a 
portion  of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir  thereon,  the  ^Lawrence  Meadow,' 
so  called,  in  Newton  and  Brighton,  belonging  to  Amos  A.  Lawrence  and 
others,  containing  fifty-two  acres,  more  or  less. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  borrow, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  the  sum  of  Thirty  Thousand 
Dollars,  the  same  to  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase  or  acquirement  of  the 
'Lawrence  Meadow,'  so  called,  in  Newton  and  Brighton,  whereon  to  con- 
struct a  portion  of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  heretofore  authorized  by  the 
City  Council." 


1865.]  213 

The  same  committee  subsequently  reported  that  they  had  examined  the 
estimates,  and  approved  of  the  same,  and  recommend  the  passage  of  the 
following  Orders,  which  were  passed  and  approved  by  the  Maj'or,  November 
17th: 

Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  author- 
ized to  construct  upon  the  land  acquired,  or  to  be  acquired,  for  that  purpose, 
near  Chestnut  Hill,  in  Newton  and  Brighton,  a  new  and  substantial  Reser- 
voir, of  a  capacity  of  not  less  than  500,000,000  gallons,  and  at  an  expense 
not  exceeding  $900,000. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  be,  and  hereby  is  authorized  to  borrow,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  the  sum  of  $300,000,  the  same  to 
be  expended  by  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  on  account  of  the  construction 
of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir  in  Newton  and  Brighton. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  these  Orders,  Mr,  Edward  F.  Knowlton 
was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Reservoir. 

The  only  work  done  on  the  premises  during  the  year  was  the  surveying 
cutting  down  the  trees,  digging  trenches ;  and  building  a  new  culvert  to  turn 
the  brook  at  the  junction  of  Beacon  and  Brighton  streets,  so  as  to  be  able  to 
drain  the  meadow  in  the  spring,  the  one  already  built  not  being  of  suflScient 
depth,  and  authority  having  been  obtained,  October  1st,  from  the  Selectmen  of 
Brighton  to  make  this  change. 

The  following  transactions  and  items  of  interest  occurred  during  the  year. 
On  April  19th,  a  contract  was  made  with  Mr.  H.  R.  Worthington,  of  New 
York,  for  500  |-inch  and  100  1-inch  meters,  to  be  delivered  within  one  year. 
These  will,  doubtless,  be  the  means  of  adding  largely  to  the  increase  of 
income,  and  will  also  reduce  the  consumption  of  water. 

May  9th,  a  Petition  having  been  sent  to  the  Board  for  payment  of  damages 
supposed  to  be  caused  by  a  leak  in  the  street  Main  in  front  of  243  Washington 
Street,  the  Committee  on  the  Eastern  Division,  to  whom  it  was  referred, 
reported  that  they  had  visited  the  premises,  and  after  hearing  all  the  facts  in 
the  case,  recommend  that  the  petitioner  have  leave  to  withdraw ;  which  report 
was  accepted.  The  circumstances  of  the  case  were,  —  That  the  petitioner 
had  applied  to  the  city  government,  in  1863,  for  leave  to  construct  an  area 
under  his  sidewalk,  which  was  granted  with  the  usual  condition  that  the 
petitioner  would  hold  the  city  harmless  from  any  and  all  damages  that  might 
arise  on  account  of  said  construction. 

Several  applications  having  been  made  for  allowance  on  bills  for  water 
furnished  by  meter,  where  tlie  pipes  had  been  broken  without  the  knowledge 


214  [1865. 

of  the  consumer  until  tlic  bills  were  rendered,  it  was  voted,  on  May  29th 
'•That  no  abatement  upon  bills  will  be  made  by  the  Board  upon  claims  for 
excess  of  quantity  of  water  charged,  unless  such  claims  are  made  immediately 
upon  the  receipt  by  the  claimant  of  the  first  bill  showing  such  excess ;  and 
upon  satisfactory  evidence  that  effective  measures  have  been  taken  by  the 
claimant  to  prevent  further  loss  or  waste." 

On  June  26th,  the  Board  of  Aldermen  passed  an  Order  requesting  the  Water 
Board  to  communicate  to  them  the  reason  which  prevented  the  playing  of 
the  Public  Fountains;  to  which  the  Board  made  a  reply,  July  3d,  (City  Docu- 
ment No.  57,)  in  which,  after  stating  the  general  condition  of  the  Lake  and 
adjoining  ponds,  and  the  amount  of  water  consumed  by  the  several  fountains, 
they  say :  —  "  Under  the  existing  circumstances,  and  from  our  experience  of 
last  year,  the  Water  Board  consider  it  not  only  prudent,  but  a  positive  duty 
to  husband  the  water  in  every  reasonable  manner." 

On  July  14th,  it  was  decided  to  raise  the  two  main  pipes  on  Tremont 
between  Waltham  and  Dedham  streets;  and  September  1st,  it  was  voted  to 
extend  the  raising  to  Newton  Street.  This  work  was  accomplished  withou 
accident,  and  completed  December  14th,  at  a  cost  of  $16,322,91. 

September  14th,  the  Water  Board  and  Water  Registrar's  offices  were 
removed  from  Chauncy  Street  to  the  present  location  in  the  new  City  Hall 
on  School  Street. 

On  October  9th,  Samuel  F.  McCleary,  Esq.,  the  City  Clerk,  appeared  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Board,  and,  in  a  felicitous  speech,  presented  to  the  Board  the 
spade  with  which  the  first  earth  was  removed  in  the  construction  of  the  Aque- 
duct, it  having  been  in  his  possession  since  that  day. 

On  the  application  of  the  Water  Board,  the  City  Council  passed  an  Ordi- 
nance, December  27th,  changing  the  time  for  making  the  Annual  Report  from 
on  or  before  the  15th  day  of  January  to  during  the  month  of  May;  th 
accounts  to  be  made  up  to  and  including  the  30th  day  of  April.  The  object 
of  this  change  was  to  have  the  Auditor's  accounts,  and  those  of  the  Water 
Board,  agree ;  which  could  only  be  done  by  making  up  their  accounts  to  April 
30th,  the  time  when  the  Auditor's  and  Treasurer's  accounts  are  made  up. 

The  Cochituate  Water  Board,  in  their  annual  Report  for  1865,  (City  Docu- 
ment No.  61,  p.  14,)  in  speaking  of  the  right  of  the  towns  to  tax  the  real 
estate  connected  with  the  Water  Works,  say : 

"  The  town  of  Brookline  has  claimed  the  right  to  tax  the  Reservoir  and 
other  real  estate  connected  with  the  Water  Works,  situated  in  that  town,  and 


1866.]  215 

have  levied  taxes  thereon.  Believing  that  the  property  was  not  legally  sub- 
ject to  taxation  under  the  principle  which,  we  were  advised,  universally  pre- 
vails, that  Corporations,  chartered  for  public  purposes,  and  for  the  public 
good,  and  not  for  private  gain,  hold  their  corporate  property  free  from  assess- 
ment for  taxes,  measures  were  taken  to  bring  the  claim  of  that  town  to  a 
legal  decision.  An  appeal  was  taken  from  the  Assessors  of  Brookline  to  the 
County  Commissioners  of  Norfolk  County,  and  heard  on  the  27th  day  of 
December,  1865,  when  a  decision  was  made  in  favor  of  the  City,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  views  we  had  previously  entertained.  The  same  question  was 
raised  before  by  the  town  of  Wayland,  and  was  decided  finally  by  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  The  decision  may  be  found  in  the  4th  volume  of  Gray's 
Reports,  page  500. 

January  1st,  1866,  to  January  1st,  1868. 

On  January  5th,  in  1866,  Questions  in  regard  to  the  management  of  the 
Water  Works  were  submitted  to  the  City  Solicitor,  Mr.  Healy,  for  his  opin- 
ion; to  which  he  replied,  February  5th  (See  Water  Board  Records,  page  109). 
He  says  : 

"  Before  proceeding  to  answer  specifically  the  several  questions  proposed 
in  the  accompanying  paper,  allow  me  to  say  generally  that  all  questions  like 
these  are  to  be  solved  by  determining  whether  the  thing  proposed  to  be  done 
is  reasonable.  Cities  are  authorized  to  make  reasonable  ordinances  and  by- 
laws, and  when  these  are  subjected  to  a  legal  test,  to  determine  their  validity, 
the  inquiry  is.  Are  they  reasonable  ?  The  following  answers,  therefore,  are 
simply  my  opinion  upon  the  reasonableness  of  the  several  regulations  to 
which  your  questions  have  reference. 

"  The  following  were   the  questions  submitted,  and  his  replies  thereto : 

1st  Question  :  Has  an  agent  of  the  Water  Board,  an  Inspector,  a  right  to 
enter  the  dwelling-house  of  a  water  taker,  at  reasonable  times,  to  inspect  the 
water  fixtures  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  waste  or  leaks  ?  If  the  Inspector 
is  refused  admittance  by  the  owners  at  such  a  time,  have  the  Board  authority  to 
withhold  the  supply  of  water  until  the  conditions  are  complied  with  ?  Is  the 
refusal  to  admit  the  Inspector  by  the  wife  or  domestic  or  any  other  member 
of  the  family,  sufficient  to  justify  the  Board  in  cutting  oif  the  water  ? 

"  Answer :  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  right  of  the  Water  Board  to  send  an 
Inspector  to  examine  any  fixtures  through  which  the  Cochituate  water  is 
taken,  whether  they  are  in  a  dwelling-house  or  other  building ;  and  if  admit- 
tance to  the  house  or  building  is  refused  to  the  Inspector  by  the  person  who 
is  responsible  for  the  payment  of  the  water  rates,  whether  he  be  the  owner  or 


216  [1866. 

tenant,  the  "water  may  be  cut  off;  such  refusal  by  the  wife  or  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  of  the  water  taker  would  not,  I  think,  justify  the  cutting  off, 
unless  the  person  making  the  refusal  acts  under  the  direction,  or  with  the  con- 
currence of  the  water  taker. 

"  2d  Question  :  Have  tlie  Water  Board  the  right  to  apply  a  Meter,  for  the 
measurement  of  the  water,  to  a  building  occupied  by  several  tenants,  and  assess 
all  the  water  used,  upon  the  owner  of  the  estate  ?  If,  under  Section  1 8th,  of 
the  act  of  March  30th,  1846,  giving  the  City  the  right  to  introduce  water,  the 
owner  of  a  building  objects  to  being  responsible  for  his  tenant,  can  the  Water 
Board  cut  off  the  supply  of  water  until  the  owner  or  some  other  party  become 
responsible  for  all  the  water  used  in  the  building  ? 

"  Ansiver  :  Applying  a  Meter,  I  can  have  no  doubt,  is  a  reasonable  mode 
in  any  case,  of  ascertaining  whether  water  is  wasted,  or  used  contrary  to  the 
rules  and  ordinances,  or  for  purposes  other  than  those  for  which  the  party  is 
paying ;  and  1  believe  it  is  competent  to  require  one  person  —  owner  or  ten- 
ant, as  the  case  may  be  —  to  be  responsible  for  the  payment  of  the  water,  for 
all  the  water  which  is  furnished  through  one  supply  pipe,  whether  it  be  a  part 
or  the  whole  of  a  building  which  is  thus  furnished  with  water.  If  a  building 
is  divided  into  several  tenements,  having  separate  supply  pipes,  the  occupant 
of  each  tenement  may  rightfully  claim  a  separate  bill.  When  one  person  is 
required  to  be  responsible,  the  water  may  be  withholden  or  cut  off,  until  the 
requirement  is  complied  with. 

"  Sd  Question :  If  a  tenant  vacates  a  building,  leaving  a  bill  for  water, 
which  was  assessed  upon  him,  unpaid,  the  water,  in  consequence  of  such  non- 
payment having  been  shut  off,  can  the  Water  Board  refuse  to  let  the  water  on 
again,  when  requested  by  a  new  tenant,  or  the  owner  of  the  estate,  until  the 
old  bill  for  water  has  been  paid?     (See  City  Ordinances,  Water,  Section  15.) 

"Answer :  The  provisions  of  the  15th  section  of  the  Water  Ordinances,  to 
which  you  refer,  appear  to  me  to  be  unreasonable,  and  therefore  invalid.  The 
water  rates  are  not  like  taxes,  a  lien  upon  the  real  estate,  but  every  water 
taker  is  supplied  upon  his  personal  responsibility,  and  I  can  see  no  propriety 
in  requiring  one  man  to  discharge  the  debt  contracted  by  another,  and  with 
which  he  had  no  connection,  of  which  he  had  no  knowledge,  and  from  which 
he  has  derived  no  benefit  whatever. 

"  4th  Question  :  Have  all  citizens  a  right  to  the  water,  provided  they  comply 
with  the  rules  and  ordinances  in  regard  to  its  use  ?  Is  there  any  discrimi- 
nation in  the  right  between  that  for  domestic,  and  manufacturing  or  shop  use  ? 

"  Answer :  All  the  citizens  have  equal  rights  to  the  use  of  the  water,  the 
circumstances  being  the  same  or  similar  in  each  case ;  yet  I  have  no  doubt  of 


1866.]  217 

the  right  of  the  city  to  limit  the  water  to  certain  uses,  and  that  it  would  be  its 
duty  to  do  so,  in  case  the  supply  should  be  insufficient  for  all  purposes. 
Water  for  domestic  use  must  first  be  supplied,  even  to  the  exclusion  of  all 
other  uses,  except,  perhaps,  that  of  extinguishing  fires. 

"  bth  Question :  Has  the  owner  of  an  estate,  upon  an  unaccepted  street,  a 
right  to  have  the  water  entered  upon  his  premises,  until  he  has  complied  with 
the  City  Ordiaances,  passed  July  30th,  1864,  in  regard  to  grades  ? 

"  A?iswer :  Your  fifth  interrogatory,  I-must  answer  in  the  affirmative.  When 
the  subject  of  the  ordinance  of  July  30th  was  under  discussion,  before  the 
passage  of  the  ordinance,  I  expressed  the  opinion  to  some  members  of  the 
City  Council,  that  such  an  ordinance  would  not,  probably,  be  held  valid  by  the 
courts,  because  it  requires  a  higher  grade  for  private  ways  than  the  city  adopts 
for  all  its  public  streets ;  and  because  it  requires  the  grade  of  cellars  and 
yards  to  be  higher  on  private  ways  than  on  public  streets,  as  well  as  for  other 
reasons ;  I  see  now  no  cause  to  change  the  opinion  I  then  expressed. 

"  Qih  Question :  K  several  persons  occupy  one  building,  and  each  party  is 
assessed  separately  for  his  water  rates,  when  one  fails  to  pay,  have  the  Board 
the  right  to  cut  off  the  supply  of  water  to  all  until  the  delinquent's  bill  is 
paid? 

"  Answer :  At  first  blush,  it  seems  a  hardship  to  deprive  one  person  of  the 
use  of  the  water,  for  the  wrongfui  act  of  another,  when  he  has  no  control  over 
that  other  person,  or  over  his  acts  j  but  if  that  right  did  not  exist,  a  dozen  per- 
sons might  use  the  water  without  payment  therefor,  because  one  person  receiv-  - 
ing  his  supply  through  the  same  pipe  has  paid  for  it.  The  paying  person  knows 
the  rule,  it  is  printed  on  his  water  bills,  and  he  chooses  to  take  the  risk  of 
the  rule,  rather  than  to  provide  himself  with  separate  fixtures  ,*  there  is  an 
agreement,  therefore,  between  all  the  persons  taking  the  water  from  the  same 
supply  pipe  to  be  jointly  and  severally  responsible  to  the  city  for  compliance 
with  all  the  rules  and  regulations,  so  far  as  they  apply  to  the  common  source 
of  supply ;  in  this  view,  I  think  the  rule  is  reasonable." 

The  extreme  cold  of  the  eighth  and  ninth  of  January,  of  the  present  year, 
caused  the  freezing  of  quite  a  number  of  the  meters  then  in  use.  A  great 
many  of  the  buildings  in  the  city  are  so  constructed  as  to  make  it  impossible 
to  attach  the  meters  so  that  they  will  escape  the  frosts,  however  much  care 
may  be  observed  in  locating  them ;  and  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  decide  in  the 
warm  season  the  most  suitable  place  to  prevent  this  difficulty.  It  was 
suggested  that  the  Board,  as  far  as   is  possible,  furnish  the  Superintendent, 

28 


218  [1866. 

in  tlie  cold  season,  a  list  of  buildings  that  they  propose  to  meter,  so  that  the 
■warmest  place  may  be  selected. 

The  right  of  flowagc  at  Lake  Cocliituate  is  predicated  upon  the  location  of 
Knight's  Flume,  so-called,  both  in  the  original  deeds  and  in  the  subsequent  Acts 
of  the  Legislature.  This  flume  is  a  portion  of  the  old  mill  which  belonged  to 
Mr.  Knight,  from  whom  the  City  purchased  the  property,  and  is  situated  within 
the  Lake,  and  about  thirty  feet  above  the  outlet-dam,  in  a  southeasterly 
direction.  The  floor  of  the  flume  is  always  covered  by  water,  and  is  liable  to 
be  carried  away,  or  displaced  by  accident.  In  order  to  fix  this  important 
point  permanently,  the  City  Engineer,  at  the  request  of  the  Board,  on  the 
22d  of  October,  the  water  being  then  at  a  favorable  stage,  directed  it  to  be 
dammed  out,  so  as  to  expose  to  view  the  original  plank  composing  the  floor  of 
the  flume ;  and  the  point  to  which  the  City  is  allowed  to  raise  the  dam  above 
said  flume,  by  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  April  5th,  1859,  was  permanently 
preserved  by  causing  the  centre  stone  abutment  of  the  outlet-dam  to  be  cut 
down  to  the  exact  high-water  line,  and  the  following  inscription  cut  in  the 
stone  :"  H.  W.,  Apl.  5,  1859." 

The  following  heights  also  we  take  from  the  Report  of  the  City  Engineer, 
Jan.  17th. 

Lake  Cochituate. 

Gate  House  Floor,  IS^Vtr  feet  above  the  floor  of  Knight's  Flume. 
Interior  bottom  of  Conduit  S^Sj  feet  below         "  " 

As  compared  with  Tide  Marsh  Level. 

Floor  of  Knight's  Flume 124i%%. 

Top  of  the  Southerly  Centre  Pier  of  outlet-dam,  .         .         134yV(r- 

High  water  mark  (inscribed  on  said  pier),  ....         134^^%-. 

Gate  House  Floor, 138xVtj. 

Interior  bottom  of  the  Conduit,  .         .         .         .         .         121. 

Dudley  Pond. 

High  water  mark,  22xyV  above  the  floor  of  Knight's  Flume. 
Or  146iV^  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 

Dug  Pond. 

High-water  mark,  1 7  feet  above  the  floor  of  Knight's  Flume. 
Or  I4:l-f'jj%  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 

The  Boston  Gas  Light  Company  having  petitioned  to  be  paid  as  per  bill 
rendered  for  damage  to  pipes,  and  changing  the  location  of  the  same,  on 


1866.]  219 

account  of  raising  the  water  pipes  on  Tremont  Street,  it  was  voted  to  submit 
the  claim  to  the  Gity  Solicitor  to  ascertain  if  the  city  were  liable  therefor. 

He  gave  his  opinion,  January  19th,  that  the  city  was  in  no  way  responsible; 
and  the  bill  was  returned  to  the  Gas  Company,  with  the  statement  that  the 
City  Solicitor  had  decided  the  city  was  not  liable. 

On  December  23d  of  last  year,  (1865,)  several  questions  were  submitted 
to  the  City  Engineer,  in  regard  to  the  expediency  of  removing  the  Conduit 
from  its  present  location  through  the  proposed  Reservoir  at  Chestnut  Hill, 
and  carrying  it  around  the  Lawrence  Meadow ;  to  which  he  replied,  February 
15th,  (See  Water  Board  Records,  page  112,)  giving  his  answer  to  the  several 
questions  submitted ;  and  closed  in  the  following  words. 

"  The  advantages  of  retaining  the  present  location  are:  1st,  It  is  the  most 
direct.  2nd,  Being,  in  my  opinion,  equally  safe  with  the  other  route,  it  is 
very  much  less  expensive ;  and  3d,  If  the  Board  should  coincide  with  me  in 
the  opinion  that  it  is  very  desirable  and  important  to  separate  this  Reservoir 
into  two  parts,  so  that  one  may  be  drawn  for  repairs,  or  for  any  other  purpose, 
without  reducing  the  head,  or  losing  any  portion  of  the  water  in  the  other,  it 
must  be  apparent  that  this  separation  or  division  can  be  made  more  economically 
in  connection  with  the  present  route  of  the  Conduit,  by  simply  adding  the 
expense  of  the  proposed  re-building  of  the  conduit,  widening  of  the  bank,  etc., 
to  the  cost  of  an  effluent  .chamber  to  be  located  on  the  northerly  side  of  the 
Bennett  Meadow.  Whereas,  to  accomplish  this  separation,  if  the  Conduit  were 
carried  around  would  add  $15,315.50  to  the  estimated  cost  thereof,  and  would 
increase  the  total  cost  of  the  Reservoir  $36,900.35.  (See  Estimates,  No.  2.) 
It  therefore  seems  very  important  that,  before  instituting  a  comparison  of  the 
relative  cost  of  the  two  routes,  the  question  of  the  necessity  or  desirability  of 
dividing  the  Reservoir  should  first  be  considered  and  determined. 

"  It  should  also  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  second  advantage  gained  by  going 
around  the  Lawrence  Meadow,  —  the  increased  water  capacity,  —  would  be 
gained  only  by  excavating  and  removing  the  present  Aqueduct  bank  across  the 
Bennett  Meadow  j  and  as  this  excavation  would  be  surplus  or  waste,  not 
required  in  embankment,  the  same  advantage  could  be  obtained  at  some  other 
locality  quite  as  cheaply. 

"  I  have  endeavored  to  give  this  subject  a  full  and  impartial  consideration, 
and  I  hope  the  results  of  my  investigations,  as  embodied  in  this  communication 
and  the  accompanying  plans,  may  be  of  service  to  the  Board  in  arriving  at 
a  just  and  intelligent  conclusion."  He  then  gives  his  estimates  in  detail, 
making  the  difference  between  carrying  the  Conduit  around  the  Lawrence 


220  [1866. 

Meadow,  including  dividing  the  Reservoir  in  two  parts,  $36,900.35 ;  or,  if 
carried  around  but  not  divided,  $21,584.85. 

On  February  16tli,  the  above  communication,  with  the  accompanying  plans, 
were  considered  by  the  Board,  and  it  was  decided  by  a  yea  and  nay  vote, 
"  that  the  Conduit  be  continued  in  its  present  position,  where  it  crosses  the 
Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  as  nearly  as  practicable."  Messrs.  Norcross,  Thorn- 
dike,  Wadsworth,  Standish  and  Dennie,  voting  in  the  affirmative,  and  Messrs. 
Fitch  and  Bradlee  in  the  negative ;  and  the  latter  requesting  that  their  votes 
might  be  so  recorded,  as  they  did  not  believe  it  could  be  made  perfectly  secure 
in  the  manner  proposed  by  the  Engineer,  and  that  it  could  be  carried  around 
at  less  expense  than  it  would  cost  to  thoroughly  secure  it  in  its  present  loca- 
tion, 

Mr.  Henry  M.  Wightman,  who  had  been  the  City  Engineer's  Assistant,  in 
making  the  survey  at  the  Reservoir,  was  appointed  Resident  Engineer,  Feb- 
ruary 14th ;  which  office  he  accepted,  and  has  since  been  constantly  employed 
in  laying  out  the  work  and  perfecting  the  plans,  under  the  direction  of  the 
City  Engineer. 

In  1858,  when  the  Dover  Street  Bridge  was  rebuilt,  a  portion  of  the  main 
pipe  which  supplies  South  Boston  was  replaced  with  new  20-inch  pipes  of 
Scotch  manufacture,  covered  inside  and  out  with  a  bituminous  coating,  designed 
to  prevent  rust  and  the  formation  of  tubercular  accretions  on  the  inside  of  the 
pipes.  March  6th,  1866,  one  of  these  pipes  was  opened  in  the  presence  of 
several  members  of  the  Board  and  the  City  Engineer,  for  examination,  to 
ascertain  the  effect  of  the  bituminous  coating  after  the  action  of  the  water  upon 
it  for  eight  years.  The  result  was  highly  satisfactory,  the  pipe  being  as  free 
from  rust  as  when  it  was  first  laid ;  and  those  present  were  of  the  opinion  that 
in  future  all  the  pipes  should  be  coated  in  like  manner  before  being  laid,  as 
this  was  a  shnple  and  not  very  expensive  remedy. 

A  thorough  examination  of  the  interior  of  the  Conduit  was  made  during  the 
year  in  company  with  the  Superintendent  and  members  of  the  Board.  The 
section  from  the  Lake  to  Dedman's  Brook  waste-wier  was  found  to  be  coated 
with  the  peculiar  vegetable  matter  alluded  to  in  former  reports,  and  was 
thoroughly  cleaned  by  the  Superintendent. 

Mr.  Edward  F.  Knowlton,  who  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Reser- 
voir, and  who  had  been  connected  with  the  Water  Works  in  various  capacities 
from  their  commencement,  died  on  March  12th.  He  had  been  unwell  for 
some  months,  although  he  attended  to  his  regular  duties  until  within  a  few 
weeks  of  his  death.     His  funeral  took  place  on  the  15th,  and  was  attended 


1866.]  221 

by  the  members  of  the  present  and  past  Water  Boards,  and  a  large  number 
of  friends. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board;  held  on  the  30th,  the  following  Resolve  was 
unanimously  adopted :  "  That,  the  death  of  Edward  F.  Knowlton,  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Western  Division  of  the  Water  Works,  having  taken  place  on 
the  12th  inst.,  this  Board  desires  to  place  on  record  their  testimony  to  the 
faithful,  upright  and  prompt  manner  in  which  he  always  performed  the 
duties  incumbent  upon  him;  that  we  feel  that  the  City  of  Boston  has  sus- 
tained a  great  loss  in  the  decease  of  this  valued  officer,  and  that  we  deeply 
sympathize  with  the  widow  and  son  in  their  great  bereavement." 

The  island  on  the  westerly  shore  of  the  Lake,  near  the  Superintendent's 
house,  which  was  washing  away,  has  been  surrounded  by  a  stone  wall,  and 
sodded,  and  is  now  a  pleasant  feature  in  the  scenery  of  the  Lake.  As  the 
work  at  this  island  was  done  at  the  suggestion  and  under  the  direction  of  the 
late  worthy  Superintendent,  it  was  proposed  that,  in  remembrance  of  him,  it 
henceforth  be  known  as  Knowllon's  Island. 

The  Board  invited  Mr.  Albert  Stanwood,  the  former  Superintendent  of  the 
Eastern  Division,  to  assume  the  duties  of  Superintendent  of  the  new  Reservoir. 
Mr.  Stanwood,  after  consultation  with  the  Board,  accepted  the  position  March 
26th,  and  entered  upon  his  duties. 

On  April  2d,  the  annual  election  of  the  Water  Board  for  1866-67,  took 
place ;  when  the  following  persons  were  chosen :  — 

Jonas  Fitch,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Alexander  Wadsworth  and  Benjamin  F.  Stevens,  from  the  Common  Coun- 
cil. 

L.  Miles  Standish  and  John  H.  Thorndike,  citizens  at  large  for  two  years. 

Messrs.  Otis  Norcross  and  Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee's  terms  unexpired. 

They  met  for  organization  April  2d,  when  Otis  Norcross  was  re-elected 
President,  S.  N.  Dyer,  Clerk,  E.  R.  Jones,  Superintendent  of  the  Eastern 
Division.  The  election  of  Superintendent  of  the  Western  Division,  and  of 
Assistant  Clerk,  was  postponed.  The  same  persons  were  appointed  on  the 
Committees  on  the  Purchase  of  land,  and  the  Construction  of  the  new  Reser- 
voir, as  last  year,  with  the  exception  that  Mr.  Stevens  was  substituted  for  Mr. 
Dennie,  whose  term  had  expired. 

May  21st,  the  Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Water  who  were  directed  April 
30th  to  consider  the  expediency  of  abolishing  the  office  of  Water  Registrar, 
and  imiting  the  duties  of  that  office  with  those  performed  by  the  Clerks  of  the 
City  Treasurer,  Reported,  That  they  had  consulted  with  the  Water  Board 


222  [1866. 

and  City  Treasurer,  and  find  that  no  change  could  be  made  ■whereby  the  duties 
of  assessing  the  water  rates,  distributing  the  bills,  inspecting  the  premises  of 
■water  takers,  and  enforcing  the  regulations  in  relation  to  the  use  of  "water, 
■would  be  performed  in  a  more  economical  or  satisfactory  manner.  It  would 
form  a  separate  branch  of  the  Treasurer's  office,  with  a  chief  clerk,  and  the 
same  clerical  force  would  be  required  to  keep  the  records.  The  payments  of 
water  rates  are  now  made  to  one  of  the  Treasurer's  clerks,  which  part  of 
the  business  properly  belongs  to  the  Treasurer.  The  committee  are,  therefore, 
of  opinion  that  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  abolish  the  office  of  the  Water 
Registrar.     This  Report  was  adopted.     (City  Records,  1866,  p.  39.) 

June  6th,  1866,  the  Water  Ordinance  was  amended,  so  as  to  require  that 
all  bills  for  expenditures  of  the  Water  Board  shall  be  drawn  for  by  the 
President,  examined  by  the  Auditor,  and  approved  by  the  Committee  of 
Accounts  before  they  are  paid  by  the  Treasurer ;  and  "  pay  rolls  "  of  clerks, 
inspectors  and  laborers  in  the  Water  Department,  shall  be  made  up  under  the 
direction  of  the  Water  Board,  and  certified  by  the  President,  and,  upon  being 
duly  audited  and  allowed,  be  paid  by  the  City  Treasurer,  at  such  times  and 
places,  and  by  such  clerks  as  he  may  appoint.  (City  Ordinance  Record,  p. 
305.) 

June  8th,  the  Water  Ordinance  was  amended,  so  that  Steamboats  should 
be  cliarged  upon  the  estimated  quantity  of  water  consumed,  at  such  rates  as 
may  be  determined  by  the  Water  Board,  but  in  no  case  less  than  the  rate 
charged  for  manufacturing  purposes  :  provided,  that  no  water  shall  be  allowed 
for  washing  said  steamboats,  except  by  special  permission  from  the  Water 
Board,  under  a  penalty  of  ten  dollars.     (City  Ordinance  Record,  page  306.) 

June  2 2d,  the  price  of  estimated  water  for  boilers  for  steamboats  was 
fixed  by  the  Water  Board  at  the  rate  of  six  cents  per  one  hundred  gallons. 
The  price  for  washing  purposes,  when  used  through  a  hose  with  a  nozzle  one 
inch  in  diameter,  was  fixed  at  five  dollars  per  hour ;  and  through  a  five-eighth 
inch,  or  less,  at  four  dollars  per  hour. 

July  23d,  1866,  the  Water  Board  submitted  their  Annual  Report,  for  the 
year  1865-66,  in  print,  (City  Document  No.  61,  for  1866.)  Its  interesting 
points  will  be  found  herein,  under  their  respective  dates. 

September  27th,  in  conformity  to  an  Order  of  the  City  Council,  relative  to  a 
Drive  way  at  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  the  Water  Board  sent  a  Communication 
to  the  City  Council  on  the  subject,  in  which  they  state  that  finding  it  impossi- 
ble to  locate  and  make  estimates  for  a  variety  of  widths  for  a  Drive-way 
around  the  Reservoir,  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  Common  Council,  they  had 
made  a  plan  and  approximate  estimates  for  one  substantially  eighty  feet  in 


1866.]  223 

width ;  compromising  ttiat  width  in  cases  of  fine  shade  trees,  and  of  ledges 
which  may  add  picturesqueness,  and  where  the  bank  of  the  Reservoir  requires 
it,  but  never  to  less  than  sixty  feet.  These  widths  are  to  be  exclusive  of  the 
footpaths  and  grass  plats.  The  road  follows  the  rise  and  the  descent  of  the 
ground,  and,  except  where  it  passes  through  groves  or  around  rocks,  lies  upon 
the  margin  of  the  Reservoir,  or  keeps  the  water  in  sight,  thus  avoiding  mo- 
notony, and  affording  beautiful  views  for  the  whole  distance. 

They  also  state  that  there  will  be  thus  required  a  purchase  of  two  or  three 
acres  of  ground :  and  they  suggest  a  separate  appropriation  for  the  cost  of 
this  road,  and  an  annual  one  for  the  expense  of  maintaining  and  taking  care 
of  it;  as  a  question  might  arise  whether  these  expenditures  would  come 
under  the  assessments  they  are  empowered  to  make  for  the  cost  of  the  Water 
Works. 

The  Engineer's  estimate  for  this  road,  as  per  plan  presented,  was  $117,485 
(City  Records,  for  1866,  p.  676.) 

October  8th,  an  Order  was  passed  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  Drive- 
way substantially  in  accordance  with  the  Plan  above  mentioned,  drawn  by  N. 
Henry  Crafts,  City  Engineer,  at  an  expense  not  exceeding  $125,000,  and  that 
the  City  Treasurer  be  authorized,  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on 
Finance,  to  borrow  the  sum  necessary. 

October  16th,  the  Committee  on  the  Eastern  Division  reported  with  regard 
to  laying  pipes  across  the  bridge  over  the  Providence  Railroad,  at  Berkley 
Street,  Boston,  a  letter  from  the  Engineer  of  said  railroad  to  the  President 
of  the  same,  saying  "  the  bridge  was  designed  of  sufficient  strength  for  the 
ordinary  use  of  a  bridge,  and  I  am  unwilling  to  assume  the  responsibility  of 
weighting  it,  with  anything  foreign  to  that  purpose." 

During  the  year  1866,  considerable  progress  was  made  on  the  Chestnut  Hill 
Reservoir.  Temporary  buildings  were  erected  for  the  accommodation  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  men  to  be  employed  upon  the  works,  and  stables  for  the  horses 
and  oxen.  Contracts  were  also  made  with  B.  F.  Ricker  for  furnishing  teams ; 
with  Messrs.  Learned  and  Shaw  for  boarding  the  men  for  one  year,  and  with 
S.  S.  Rowe  for  laying  slope  walls.  Most  of  the  work,  however,  was  done  by 
the  day,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Stan  wood,  superintendent ;  a  large  portion 
of  it  being  the  clearing  of  the  grounds,  the  blasting  of  rocks,  surveying,  and 
getting  the  premises  ready  for  active  operations  the  following  year. 

The  observations  and  experiments  with  regard  to  the  supply  and  consump- 
tion, and  the  waste  of  water,  reached  some  good  conclusions.  It  was  found 
that  the  system  of  inspection,  instituted  in  1864,  proved  of  great  use  in 
checking  waste ;  and  though  unwelcome  to  the  improvident,  the  Inspector  has 


224  [1867. 

been  cheerfully  admitted  as  soon  as  the  object  was  understood  by  the  careful 
and  well  iutentioned. 

The  supply  of  water  for  18G6  was  nearly  equal  to  tlie  average  supply  of 
the  five  previous  years,  while  the  consumption,  including  waste,  was  nearly 
4,000,000  gallons  daily  less  than  the  average  of  those  years :  showing  that  the 
appeals  made  to  the  people  had  the  effect  to  economize  water ;  and  it  was  only 
througli  this  means  that  they  had  a  constant  and  full  supply  during  all  thf 
months  of  November,  December,  January,  and  February  following. 

1867. 

January  15th,  L867,  Otis  Norcross  having  been  elected  Mayor,  he  resigned 
his  position  as  President  of  the  Board,  and  John  H.  Thorndike  was  chosen 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 

February  7th,  1867,  William  F.  Davis  was  chosen  Water  Registrar. 

February  14th,  the  members  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  for  1867-68, 
were  elected  as  follows :  — 

Charles  R.  McLean,  from  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 

Nathaniel  J.  Bradlee  and  Alexander  Wadsworth,  from  the  citizens  at 
large. 

Benjamin  F.  Stevens  and  William  S.  Hills,  from  the  Common  Council. 

The  terms  of  John  H.  Thorndike  and  L.  Miles  Standish,  unexpired. 

February  9  th,  the  following  Letter  was  received  by  the  Water  Board 
from  the  "  Commissioners  on  behalf  of  the  City  of  Boston,  upon  the  subject  of 
annexing  Roxbury  to  Boston :  " 

Hon.  Otis  Norcross,  Boston,  January  9th,  1867. 

President  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  — 

Dear  Sir  : — On  behalf  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  City  of  Boston, 
appointed  to  confer  with  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  City  of  Roxbury, 
on  the  subject  of  annexing  the  two  cities,  I  am  directed  to  make  some  inquiries 
of  the  Board  over  which  you  preside.  The  Commissioners  desire  to  be  informed 
of  all  facts  within  your  knowledge,  on  the  supply  of  water,  which  have  a  ten- 
dency to  show  that  the  annexation  of  the  two  cities  is  or  is  not  desirable. 

We  should  be  glad  to  have  your  opinion  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the  supply,  in 
regard  to  the  present  and  future  wants  of  the  two  cities. 

We  desire  an  estimate  of  the  probable  expense  which  the  introduction  of  water 
into  Roxbury  will  entail  upon  the  two  cities,  if  united. 

We  shall  be  obliged  for  any  information  tending  to  show  what  increase  in  the 
amount  and  expense  of  the  existing  drainage  in  Roxbury,  assuming  it  to  be  suffi- 
cient under  existing  circumstances,  will  be  required  if  a  proper  supply  of  water 
be  introduced  into  that  city. 


1867.]  225 

The  familiarity  of  your  Board  with  this  subject  makes  it  superfluous  for  us  to 
be  more  specific  in  our  immediate  inquiries,  but  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  wait 
upon  you  at  any  time  which  you  may  designate. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

WM.  GRAY,  Chairman  of  the  Commissioners. 

To  which  the  Board  answered  as  follows : — 

City  of  Boston,  City  Hall, 

CocHiTUATE  Water  Boakd  Office. 

Feb.  18,  1867. 
Sir,  —  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  9th  ultimo,  requesting  to  be 
informed  of  all  the  facts  within  our  knowledge  upon  the  supply  of  water,  and  of 
our  opinion  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the  supply  for  the  two  cities,  Boston  and 
Roxbury ;  and  also  to  be  furnished  with  an  estimate  of  the  probable  expense  of 
the  introduction  of  water  into  Roxbury  if  annexed,  —  we  have  to  say,  that  to 
fiimish  you  with  answers  as  correct  and  as  much  in  detail  as  would  best  satisfy 
ourselves,  much  more  time  for  engineering  and  surveying  would  be  requu-ed  than 
you  can  well  allow  us,  if  your  Report  is  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  Legislature  now 
in  session ;  and,  therefore,  with  the  assistance  of  our  able  City  Engineer,  we 
have  made  various  estimates  founded  upon  such  data  as  were  immediately  avail- 
able ;  and  now  present  the  same  for  your  consideration : 

The  area  of  Boston  Proper  (not  including  streets)  is  about        .         .970  acres 
Of  this  there  are  built  upon  and  improved  about        .         .         .         .     630     " 

Leaving  of  available  unimproved  land  about 340     " 

The  filled  area  of  East  Boston  (not  including  streets  and  squares)  is 

about 660     " 

Of  this,  there  are  built  upon  and  improved  about      .        .        .        .     170     " 

Leaving  of  available  unimproved  land  about  .  .  .  .  .  490  " 
Besides  this,  there  are  of  fiats  wholly  unimproved  ....  440  " 
And  of  flats  already  enclosed 103     " 

Making  a  total,  ultimately  available,  of 1,033     " 

The  upland  (304  acres)  and  marsh  (416  acres)  of  Breed's  Island, 
which  will  probably  become  a  part  of  East  Boston,  amounts  to 
about 720     « 

The  filled  area  of  South  Boston  (not  including  streets  and  squares) 

is  about 675     « 

Of  this,  there  are  buUt  upon  and  improved 285     " 

Leaving  of  available  unimproved  land 390     " 

The  area  of  the  flats  on  the  northerly  shore,  which  may  be  added,  is 

about  .         .        . 600    " 

29 


226  [1867. 

The  area  of  Roxbury  (not  including  streets  'and  squares)  is  about         2,184  acres 
Of  this,  there  are  built  upon  or  improved 684     " 

Leaving  of  available  unimproved  land  about   .....     1,500     *' 

The  foregoing  estimate  of  the  area  built  upon  is,  of  course,  very  rough  ;  for  in 
cases  where,  to  a  single  house,  there  appears  upon  the  map  to  be  several  acres, 
there  has  been  allowed  to  such  isolated  house  a  half  acre  as  improved  land,  call- 
ing the  balance  unimproved. 
Beside  the  above 1,500  acres 

there  are,  of  marsh  land  or  flats,  to  be  improved,        .         .         .     300     " 

(( 

making  a  total  of 1,800     " 

The  population  of  Boston  in  1865  was  192,324,  and  the  rate  of  increase  from 
1855  to  1865  was  lO^y^y^^y  per  cent.  At  the  same  rate  of  increase,  the  present 
population  of  Boston  is  about  200,000. 

When  the  whole  territory  within  the  present  limits  of  Boston  is  peopled  as 
densely  as  the  portions  now  built  upon,  our  population  will  amount  to  nearly 
600,000. 

The  present  population  of  Roxbury  is  said  to  be  about  30,000,  and  the  rate  of 
increase  for  the  ten  years  from  1855  to  1865  was  nearly  54  per  cent ;  and,  upon 
the  same  basis  that  Boston  can  accommodate  600,000,  Roxbury  can  accommodate 
about  400,000. 

Lake  Cochituate,  with  all  its  tributaries,  has  not  the  capacity  to  furnish  a  con- 
stant supply  of  over  16,000,000  gallons  daily.  By  gauging  the  lake  in  1834, 
Loammi  Baldwin  estimated  the  supply  at  16,156,800  gallons  per  day.  It  is  true, 
that  since  raising  the  Outlet  Dam  in  1859,  we  have  averaged  a  daily  waste  of 
4,000,000  gallons ;  but  we  know  of  no  practicable  way  to  save  this,  as  it  occurs 
only  when  our  ponds  are  already  full.  Should  reservoirs  be  built  to  retain  such 
a  quantity,  this  extra  supply  would  occasionally  fail  us,  as  in  the  case  of  1864, 
when  the  water  in  the  lake  was  drawn  to  within  four  feet  and  ten  inches  of  the 
bottom  of  the  Conduit,  and  the  net  quantity  received  into  the  lake  actually  avail- 
able was  only  11,620,000  gallons  per  day  for  that  year.  In  1860,  there  was  no 
water  wasted  at  the  Outlet  Dam,  and  in  1862,  only  33,200,000,  gallons  were  there 
wasted,  being  equal  to  about  two  days'  supply  to  the  city. 

The  present  Conduit,  when  put  in  good  repair,  can  safely  convey  only  18,000,- 
000  gallons  per  day. 

Assuming  the  capacity  of  the  lake  to  be  16,000,000  gallons  per  day,  and  the 
rate  of  consumption  for  domestic  use,  manufacturing  and  all  other  purposes,  at 
sixty-three  gallons  per  inhabitant,  the  lake  can  supply  a  population  of  254,000  ; 
and,  at  the  present  rate  of  increase,  Boston  will  attain  that  population  in  fourteen 
years.  If  Roxbury  should  be  furnished  from  our  works,  and  the  present  rate  of 
increase  in  her  population  continue,  the  limit  of  our  water  supply  would  be 
reached  in  a  little  less  than  five  years. 


1867.]  227 

Under  these  circumstances  and  conditions,  we  are  very  positive  in  the  opinion, 
that  if  any  material  increase  to  our  present  stock  of  water  is  needed,  we  must 
seek  an  additional  source,  and  convey  it  to  the  city  by  an  entirely  independent 
Conduit. 

The  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  Company,  we  are  informed,  supply  a  population 
in  Eoxbury  of  about  5,000,  besides  the  breweries  and  manufactoi-ies  ;  and  a 
liberal  estimate  of  the  capacity  of  their  pond,  as  now  used,  is  about  400,000 
gallons  per  day  :  but  as  the  pipes  laid  by  the  company  are  inadequate  in  strength 
to  bear  the  Cochituate  pressure,  we  have,  in  making  the  estimate  for  the  distri- 
bution of  water  in  Roxbury,  disregarded  this  supply  and  the  present  means  of 
distributing  it. 

The  estimated  cost  of  a  suitable  Keservoir  and  of  distributing  the  Cochituate 
water  in  all  that  portion  of  Roxbury  (excepting  the  marsh  and  flats  of  the  Back 
Bay  north  of  Ward  Street  and  west  of  the  Providence  Railroad,)  lying  north  of 
a  line  drawn  from  the  junction  of  Grove  Hall  Avenue  and  Moreland  Street, 
crossing  Warren  Street  at  Clifford  ;  Walnut  Street  at  Otis  ;  through  Otis  to 
Shawmut  Avenue ;  from  Shawmut  Avenue  through  Marcella  and  Highland 
streets  to  Center  Street ;  through  Center  and  Lowell  streets  to  Washington 
Street,  and  through  Washington  Street  to  the  line  between  Roxbury  and  Brook- 
line,  is  $650,000. 

Where  from,  and  in  what  manner,  to  obtain  a  further  supply  of  water  is  a 
problem  not  easy  to  solve.  It  can  only  be  solved  by  extensive  survej^s  and 
skilful  engineering,  requiring  months  to  execute  ;  and  what  might  be  the  result 
is  at  this  present  time  so  obscure,  that  the  Board  are  disinclined  to  make  even  a 
suggestion  in  regard  to  it. 

So  far  as  the  supply  of  water  may  affect  your  decision  as  to  the  feasibility  of 

annexing  Roxbury  to  Boston,  we  presume  that  the  foregoing  facts  and  estimates 

will  not  add  to  any  reasons  you  may  have  for  favoring  it. 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  H.  THORNDIKE, 

Prest.  Cochituate  Water  Board. 
Hon.  William  Gray, 

Chairman  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  City  of  Boston,  upon 

the  subject  of  annexing  Roxbury  to  Boston. 

April  1st,  1867,  the  Board  met  for  organization.  John  H.  Thorndike  was 
re-elected  President,  Samuel  N.  Dyer  was  chosen  Clerk,  Albert  Stanwood, 
Superintendent  of  the  Western  Division,  and  Ezekiel  R.  Jones,  Superintendent 
of  the  Eastern  Division. 

April  5th,  it  was  voted,  That  the  President  be  authorized  to  commence  the 
collection  of  "  Books  relating  to  Water  Works,"  with  a  view  to  forming  a 
Library  for  the  Water  Board. 


228  [1867. 

April  5tli,  Messrs.  Thorndikc,  Standisli  &  Bradlee  were  chosen  a  Committee 
on  the  Construction  of  the  Reservoir. 

May  14th,  the  Committee  on  Eastern  Division  reported  on  the  strength  of 
different  sorts  of  pipes,  according  to  the  tests  which  they  had  applied : 

Tests  of  Pipe. 

1st  —  5-8-inch  lead  pipe,  2f  lbs.  per  foot,  same  as  now  used  by  the  City,  burst 

at  a  pressure  of  1,050  lbs. 
2d  —  5-8-inch  lead  pipe,  lined  with  tin,  1-j^  lbs.  per  foot,  burst  at  a  pressure  of 

1,450  lbs. 
3d  —  5-8-inch  block  tin,  burst  at  a  pressure  of  1,500  lbs. 
4th —  1-2-inch  lead,  2  lbs.  per  foot,  burst  at  a  pressure  of  1,450  lbs. 
5th —  1-2-inch  lead,  lined  with  tin,  1^%  lbs.  per  foot,  burst  at  a  pressure  of  1,200 

lbs. 

Second  Trial. 

6th  —  3-4-inch  lead  pipe,  4  lbs.  per  foot,  burst  at  a  pressure  of  1 ,025  lbs. 
7th  — 3-4-inch  lead  pipe,  lined  with  tin,  2  lbs.  to  a  foot,  burst  at  a  pressure  of 
1,100  lbs. 

May  11th,  the  proposal  of  Gardner  Brewer  to  give  to  the  City,  and  place 
on  Boston  Common,  a  duplicate  of  the  Fountain  in  front  of  the  Hotel  de  Yille 
at  Lyons,  France,  with  an  appropriate  basin,  was  accepted  with  thanks ;  and 
it  Avas  ordered  by  the  City  Government,  that  it  be  located  in  such  portion  of 
those  grounds  as  the  Mayor  and  the  Committee  on  the  Common  may  deem  the 
most  appropriate  to  enable  the  Fountain  to  display  to  the  best  advantage  its 
exquisite  proportions,  and  to  fulfil  the  use  for  which  it  is  especially  adapted. 

The  21st  of  May,  1867,  the  Water  Board  made  their  Annual  Report,  for 
1866-67.     (City  Document  88.) 

This  Report  is  interesting  and  important  as  a  continued  record  of  the  actual 
operations  of  the  Water  Works ;  of  the  progress  of  the  additions  necessary  to 
complete  them ;  of  the  meteorological  conditions  that  affect  the  supply  of 
water ;  and  also  as  a  seasonable  notification  that  an  increase  of  the  resources 
of  that  supply  will  be  required  for  the  wants  of  any  population  which  may  be 
annexed  to  the  City. 

Their  adoption  of  the  financial  year  of  the  City  ending  April  30th,  remedied 
former  apparent  discrepancies  between  the  accounts  of  the  Board  and  those 
of  the  City  Treasurer  and  Auditor ;  and  the  Board  suggest  that  all  the  Water 
Bills  should  be  made  to  conform  to  a  like  calculation. 

This  year  an  kon  bridge  was  erected,  outside  of  the  travelled  bridge  so  as 


1867.]  229 

to  avoid  any  jar,  to  carry  the  two  large  Mains  over  the  railroad  at  Tremont 
Street ;  and  the  Main  was  moved  during  the  winter,  under  great  difficulties, 
arising  from  the  nature  of  the  foundation,  and  the  weather.  It  is  proposed 
to  cover  this  bridge  with  an  iron  roof  to  protect  the  pipes  from  the  sun. 

In  1866,  Mr.  A.  Stan  wood,  the  Superintendent  at  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir, 
was  chosen  Superintendent  of  the  Western  Division,  in  the  charge  of  which  he 
had  assisted  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  that  Division,  since  the  death 
of  Mr.  Knowlton. 

On  the  9th  and  10th  of  February,  1867,  occurred  the  greatest  freshet 
known  in  the  vicinity  for  years.  A  heavy  rain,  with  the  melting  snow,  raised 
the  lake  from  thirteen  feet  to  thirteen  feet  five  inches,  or  one  inch  more  than 
full ;  and  that  amount  ran  to  waste  over  the  dam.  On  all  such  occasions  of 
high  water,  the  stop  planks  of  the  dam  are  removed,  to  save  the  banks  of  the 
lake. 

On  the  2  7th  July,  in  a  shower  of  a  few  hours,  there  fell,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  lake,  the  unprecedented  quantity  of  7.6  inches  of  rain;  the  level  of  the 
lake  was  carried  up  in  twenty-four  hours,  eight  inches,  and  a  small  part  of  the 
Filter  Dam,  on  Pegan  Brook,  was  washed  away.  The  slope  wall  in  various 
places,  where  too  steep,  was  undermined,  and  slid  into  the  lake. 

The  experience  of  the  year  1866-67,  proved  a  decrease  of  thirty-nine  per 
cent,  in  the  daily  consumption  of  water,  as  compared  with  that  of  1861. 

The  records  of  the  meters  in  the  houses  of  the  members  of  the  Board 
showed  during  the  above  time,  that  for  all  domestic  uses,  twenty-five  gallons 
of  water  per  inhabitant  is  an  ample  daily  supply.  The  amount  consumed  by 
the  large  manufacturers  in  the  year  was  2,000,000  gallons  per  day,  and  estima- 
ted miscellaneous  consumption,  1,000,000  gallons  per  day:  population  say 
200,000.  An  increase  of  meters,  more  rigid  inspection,  and  a  tax  on  hopper 
closets,  were  recommended. 

Upon  examination  of  the  Conduit,  there  were  found  no  cracks  in  the  first 
division,  and  in  the  second  about  nine,  of  which  two  were  serious ;  and  only 
a  single  section,  between  two  stations,  needed  cleaning 

At  this  examination,  a  trial  was  made  of  the  Magnesium  Light,  for  illumin- 
ating the  interior,  and  with  the  exception  of  certain  slight  mechanical  defects 
in  the  apparatus,  it  was  a  decided  success,  and  a  vast  improvement  upon  the 
ordinary  lights  hitherto  used. 

July  16th,  the  following  Order  was  passed  by  the  City: 

"  Whereas,  in  the  opinion  of  the  City  Council,  the  health  and  convenience 
of  the  inhabitants  require  that  Drinking  Fountains  should  be  established  in 
different  sections  of  the  City, 

37 


230  [1867. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  be  requested,  in  consultation 
with  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  City  Council  on  Water,  to  establish  a  number 
of  Drinking  Fountains,  not  exceeding  six,  in  different  sections  of  the  City, 
and  that  the  expense  thereof  be  charged  to  incidental  expenses."  The  Water 
Board  ordered  from  New  York  a  new  style  of  Drinking  Fountain,  which 
was  generally  approved;  but  no  further  action  was  taken  upon  the  subject 
this  year. 

September  28th,  the  Board,  under  authority,  purchased  of  the  Catholic 
Bishop  about  2^^  acres  of  land  in  Natick,  between  Dug  Pond  and  the  neigh- 
boring Cemetery, 

About  16f  acres  of  land  in  Natick,  bordering  on  Dug  Pond,  were  purchased 
in  addition  to  that  mentioned  above. 

During  the  year,  several  petitions  for  laying  Mains  and  other  pipes  were 
granted  upon  the  condition  of  petitioners  paying  the  cost  of  the  same.  And 
from  time  to  time,  at  the  request  of  the  Board,  the  Registrar  officially  recom- 
mended the  attaching  meters  to  certain  buildings. 


CHESTNUT   HILL,  RESERVOIR. 

The  work  upon  this  Reservoir  was  carried  on  successfully  during  the  year 
1866-67.  From  the  middle  of  November  to  the  middle  of  April,  muck  was 
removed ;  ledges  blasted,  and  a  retaining  wall  for  the  drive- way  constructed. 
An  engine  and  pump  were  used  to  keep  the  trenches  free  of  water ;  on  the 
27th  August,  1866,  during  the  absence  at  dinner  of  the  engineman,  the  boiler 
exploded. 

The  Report  of  the  City  Engineer  states  that,  at  an  examination,  it  was  con- 
cluded that  the  water  was  carelessly  left  too  low  by  the  engineman,  who 
therefore  was  promptly  dismissed. 

Through  the  year  1887-8,  the  work  was  continued  with  great  vigor. 
Contracts  were  made  with  Messrs.  Broad  &  Ward,  for  granite  capping  for  the 
slope  walls;  with  Hugh  McGrinness  and  others,  for  puddling  clay;  with  0. 
T.  Rogers  &  Co.,  for  the  hammered  granite  for  the  intermediate  Gate  House ; 
and  with  S.  S.  Rowe,  for  boarding  the  men. 

There  were  laid  during  the  year  over  seven  thousand  feet  of  brick  drain  in 
cement,  on  the  south  and  west  side  of  the  Reservoir,  varying  in  size  from  six 
feet  four  inches  to  two  feet  six  inches  in  diameter,  requiring  over  one  million 
brick  in  its  construction. 

March  2d,  over  two  hundred  of  the  laborers  struck  for  higher  wages,  and 
notice  was  at  once  given,  that  none  of  those  who  left  the  work  would  be 


1867.]  231 

taken  back,  again ;  the  delay  was  but  temporary,  as  their  places  were  all  filled 
within  three  days. 

For  the  better  finishing  of  the  drive- way,  one  of  Blake's  stone-breakers  was 
purchased,  and  was  found  to  be  of  great  service. 

The  progress  having  been  so  successful  thus  far,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  it 
will  require  but  one  year  more  to  complete  this  Reservoir  for  use,  and  that  the 
water  can  be  let  into  it  in  the  Spring  of  1869. 


PAET    FOUETH, 


DESCEIPTION    OF    THE    COCHITUATE    WATEE    WORKS, 

TO 

THE    EIEST     OE    JANUARY,    1868. 


1851.] 


CHAPTEE     XIII. 

Changes  made  since  the  introduction  of  the  Water  —  Lake  Cochituate ;  its  situation  and 
size  —  The  Dams  and  their  positions  —  The  Gate  House ;  its  position  and  size  —  Margi- 
nal Lands  —  Dug  or  Monsemog  Pond ;  its  position,  size,  and  connection  with  the  Lake 
—  Dudley  Pond ;  its  position,  size,  and  connection  with  the  Lake  —  Division  of  the 
"Works  —  Brick  Conduit ;  its  location,  size,  shape  and  division ;  its  grade  and  length  — 
Mains  over  Charles  Kiver  Valley ;  their  number,  size  and  length — The  Tunnels;  their 
position  and  length  —The  Waste  Weirs ;  their  positions  and  size  —  Ventilator :  its  posi- 
tion and  size  —  Man-holes  —  Culverts  and  Drains  —  Tablets. 

The  Cochituate  Water  Board  of  1851,  in  their  Annual  Eeport,  gave  a  full 
description  of  the  works  as  then  completed,  from  which  our  accounts  have 
been  compiled,  with  such  omissions,  alterations  and  additions  as  were  made 
necessary  by  the  changes  that  have  since  taken  place. 

The  most  important  of  these  changes  have  been,  the  raising  of  the  Gate 
House  and  Dam  at  the  Lake ;  building  of  a  new  Dam ;  connection  of  Dudley 
Pond  with  the  Lake ;  laying  of  the  third  pipe  across  Charles  River  from 
the  east  to  the  west  pipe  chamber ;  rebuilding  the  west  pipe  chamber  in  a 
new  position ;  laying  of  the  40-inch  main  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir  into 
the  City  over  the  Mill-dam  road;  sale  of  the  Compensating  Reservoirs  in 
Hopkinton  and  Marlborough;  sale  of  the  property  of  the  Jamaica  Pond 
Aqueduct  Company ;  and  building  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir. 

Lake  Cochituate. 

Lake  Cochituate,  formerly  known  as  Long  Pond,  the  main  source  from 
which  the  supply  of  water  for  the  city  is  taken,  is  situated  within  the  limits  of 
the  towns  of  Framingham,  Wayland,  and  Natick,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex. 

It  may  be  considered  a  chain  of  natural,  subsiding  Reservoirs  of  water, 
three  in  number,  having  a  general  direction  nearly  north  and  south;  its 
extreme  length  in  a  direct  line  being  about  three  and  one-half  miles,  and  its 
greatest  breadth  about  eighteen  hundred  feet. 


236  [1865. 

The  Lake  is  crossed  by  the  Boston  and  Worcester,  now  Boston  and 
Albany,  and  the  Saxonville  Railroads;  and  by  three  county  roads,  one  of 
which  is  the  road  leading  from  Natick  to  Framingham,  another  was  formerly 
the  Worcester  turnpike,  and  the  third  is  a  road  leading  from  Framingham  to 
Newton,  As  the  last  two  county  roads  indicate  the  natural  divisions  of  the 
Lake,  and  separate  it  into  three  nearly  equal  parts,  it  is,  for  matter  of  refer- 
ence, found  convenient  to  consider  the  lake  as  divided  by  them,  into  the 
Northern,  Central  and  Southern  Divisions. 

The  water  gradually  increases  in  depth  from  the  shore,  in  each  division ; 
at  high  water,  or  when  raised  ten  feet  above  the  flume,  or  thirteen  feet  and 
thirty-six  one-hundredths  above  the  bottom  of  the  conduit,  its  greatest  depth  is 
about  seventy-two  feet  in  the  Southern,  fifty  feet  in  the  Centre,  and  sixty-four 
feet  in  the  Northern  Division.  When  the  water  is  at  this  elevation,  the  super- 
ficial area  of  the  Lake  is  estimated  to  be  eight  hundred  acres. 

For  the  capacity  of  the  Lake  at  difierent  levels,  see  Table  No.  III.  in  the 
Appendix. 

The  shore  of  the  Lake  is  generally  a  bold  sand  and  gravel  bank,  and  the 
increase  of  surface  which  is  produced  by  raising  the  water  takes  place  mostly 
in  a  great  meadow  in  the  Southern  Division,  south  of  the  Boston  and  Worces- 
ter Railroad;  also,  on  another  meadow  at  the  southerly  end  of  the  same 
Division ;  on  some  low  grounds  near  the  northerly  end  of  the  Central  Division, 
at  the  mouth  of  Snake  brook ;  and  lastly,  in  some  small  bays  which  occur  in 
other  places.  When  the  water  is  raised  eight  feet  above  the  flume,  there  are 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  not  covered  with  more  than  five  feet  depth  of 
water ;  at  six  and  five-tenths  feet  above  the  flume,  there  are  one  hundred  acres 
covered  with  a  depth  of  water  not  exceeding  five  feet ;  at  three  feet  above, 
the  peat  meadow  in  the  Southern  Division  is  to  a  great  extent  covered :  but  the 
other  meadows  in  the  same  Division,  and  that  in  the  Central,  are  mostly  bare. 
The  whole  circuit  of  the  Lake,  including  the  meadows,  is  about  sixteen  miles  j 
and  excluding  those,  about  twelve  miles,  measured  at  the  verge  of  the  Lake, 
when  the  water  is  eight  feet  above  the  flume. 

The  tract  of  country  which  drains  into  the  Lake  is  bounded  by  the  ranges 
of  hills  which  divide  tlie  streams  running  into  the  Merrimack  from  those 
which  run  into  Charles  River,  and,  as  surveyed,  covers  an  area  of  12,077  acres, 
including  the  Lake.  Deducting  from  this  amount  677  acres  as  the  area  of 
several  ponds  included  in  it,  which  are  estimated  to  lose  by  evaporation  from 
their  surfaces  a  large  proportion  of  the  rain  which  falls  upon-  them,  there 
remain  11,400  acres  or  496,584,000  square  feet,  as  the  water-shed  from  which 
the  Lake  derives  its  supply. 


1865.]  237 

At  the  time  of  the  passage  of  the  Act,  1 846,  as  has  been  before  stated,  these 
waters  of  the  Lake  were  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  William  S.  Knight,  who 
owned  the  outlet  and  had  several  mill  privileges  and  manufacturing  establish- 
ments connected  with  it  between  the  Lake  and  Sudbury  River  into  which  it 
naturally  discharges  its  waters.  All  Mr.  Knight's  interest  was  accordingly 
purchased  and  vested  in  the  city,  and  the  city  thereby  acquired  the  right  of 
exclusive  use  of  the  water,  and  of  diverting  it  from  its  natural  channel ;  sub- 
ject, however,  to  any  damages  which  might  be  sustained,  by  proprietors  of 
water  rights  situated  below  Mr.  Knight,  by  reason  of  the  diminution  of  their 
supply  of  water. 

The  Sudbury  River  joins  the  Assabet  about  fourteen  miles  below  Mr. 
Knight's  mill  privilege,  and  the  two  form  the  Concord  River,  which,  after 
flowing  through  an  almost  perfectly  level  country  about  ten  miles  to  Billerica, 
thence  continues  on  about  four  and  a  half  miles,  and  finally  empties  into  the 
Merrimack  at  Lowell.  All  the  water  of  Concord  River,  includins;  that 
from  the  Lake,  was  subject  to  the  use  of  the  Middlesex  Canal,  in  the  first 
instance  to  supply  the  canal ;  and  the  surplus  belonged  to  the  proprietors  of 
the  mills  at  Billerica,  and  to  those  of  three  other  privileges  on  Concord  river. 

The  original  Act  gave  authority  to  raise  the  Lake  to  eight  feet  above  the 
floor  of  Knight's  Flume,  which  at  that  time  was  deemed  sufficient  to  store  the 
excess  of  water  which  would  collect  during  the  winter  and  spring,  for  use 
during  those  months  which  have  proved  to  be  the  season  of  a  low  state  of 
water  in  the  streams.  This,  however,  was  found  insufficient,  and  an  additional 
Act  was  passed  in  1859,  giving  authority  to  raise  the  dam  at  the  outlet  to  ten 
feet  above  the  floor  of  Knight's  Flume,  which  latter  is  3.36  feet  above  the 
bottom  of  the  conduit.     (See  Part  III.,  Chapter  19.) 

Dams. 

The  First  Dam  was  constructed  at  the  outlet,  on  the  west  side  of  the  northern 
division,  in  the  town  of  Framingham.  It  is  of  solid  masonry,  of  granite,  and 
raised  to  a  height  sufficient  to  retain  the  water  to  a  point  ten  feet  above  the 
floor  of  the  flume.  This  corresponds  with  an  elevation  of  134.36  feet  above 
tide  marsh  level;  the  floor  of  the  flume  being  124.36  feet  above  the  same  level. 

The  Second  Dam  was  built  in  the  year  1857,  at  a  distance  of  about  five 
hundred  feet  below  the  first,  for  the  purpose  of  lessening  the  pressure  upon 
the  upper  dam ;  and  is  also  of  solid  masonry,  with  an  overflow  of  twenty- 
three  feet  in  width. 


238  [18G5. 

Gate  house  at  the  lake. 

This  Gate  House  is  situated  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Northern  Division, 
in  the  town  of  Wayland,  opposite  to  the  dam,  and  is  built  a  sufficient  distance 
into  the  lake  to  admit  the  water  from  the  necessary  depth.  The  bottom  of 
the  Aqueduct,  which  here  commences,  is  placed  at  an  elevation  of  three  and 
thirty-six  one-hundredths  feet  below  the  floor  of  the  flume.  When  the  lake 
is  raised  to  the  high-water  mark,  it  will  stand  thirteen  and  thirty-six  one-hun- 
dredths feet  above  the  bottom  of  the  Conduit. 

In  the  house,  there  are  four  gates  for  regulating  the  admission  of  water  into 
the  Aqueduct.  They  are  of  cast-iron,  with  composition  or  gun-metal  facings, 
and  a  frame  of  the  same  materials,  set  in  hammered  stone ;  and  are  worked 
by  composition  screws  in  composition  nuts. 

This  building  is  twenty-nine  feet  six  inches  by  thirty-nine  feet  six  inches,  of 
hammered  granite,  with  a  metal  roof,  secured  efFectually  from  intrusion.  The 
floor  is  of  granite,  and  there  are  two  flights  of  granite  steps  from  the  floor 
down  to  the  Conduit. 

A  stone  Culvert  is  also  constructed  beneath  the  road,  which  divides  the 
Northern  from  the  Central  Division,  in  which  provision  has  been  made  for 
placing  stop  planks,  so  that  the  water  can  be  shut  off  from  the  Northern  Divi- 
sion ;  and  thereby  about  two-thirds  of  the  water  in  the  Lake  can  be  retained, 
in  case  it  should  be  necessary  to  repair  the  gate  house  or  dams. 

Marginal  Lands. 

To  enable  the  city  to  exercise  a  proper  control  over  the  waters  of  the  Lake, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any  acts  which  might  tend  to  impair  their 
purity,  as  well  as  for  regulating  the  right  to  overflow  the  adjoining  lands,  it 
was  authorized  by  the  Act  to  take  and  hold  a  strip  of  land,  not  exceeding  five 
rods  in  width  on  the  margin  of  the  Lake.  It  was  soon  ascertained,  however, 
that  in  cases  where  land  was  to  be  taken  for  these  purposes,  or  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  Aqueduct,  or  Reservoirs,  where  material  injury  would  be 
occasioned  to  the  adjoining  lands,  it  would,  in  many  instances,  be  the  most 
advantageous  mode  of  adjusting  the  damages,  to  purchase  the  entire  lot  of 
land  so  injured,  and  to  make  re-sale  of  such  part  thereof,  as  might  be  deemed 
advisal)le,  after  the  work  should  be  completed.  That  system  was  accordingly 
adopted,  and  in  consequence,  the  marginal  lands  thus  purchased  are  of  very 
different  widths,  according  to  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  the  terms  which 
could  be  made  with  the  proprietors.  The  whole  area  purchased  around  the 
margin  or  immediately  adjoining,  was  six  hundred  and  thirtij-Jive  and  one-halj 


1865.]  239 

acres,  and  of  this  the  city  had  the  fee  simple.  It  completed  the  entire  circuit 
of  the  Lake,  with  the  exception  of  a  piece  on  the  western  side  of  the  southern 
Division,  about  2,200  feet  in  length,  five  rods  in  width,  and  containing  about 
seven  and  one-half  acres,  which  the  city,  being  unable  to  purchase,  took  and  now 
holds  possession  of,  under  the  power  given  in  the  Act. 

To  the  above  quantity  being  added  the  amount  purchased  of  Mr.  Knight 
and  others,  in  connection  with  the  outlet  and  mill  privileges,  which  was  about 
thirty-nine  acres,  it  appears  that  the  whole  area  purchased  and  taken  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Lake  and  outlet  was  six  hundred  and  thirty-jive  and  a 
half  acres  nearly,  all  of  which,  with  the  exception  of  the  five  rods  in  width  on 
the  margin  of  the  Lake,  has  been  sold. 

Dug  or  Monsemog  Pond. 

In  addition  to  the  supply  of  water  contained  in  the  Lake,  Mr.  Knight  also 
conveyed  to  the  city,  that  of  Dug  or  Monsemog  Pond,  lying  to  the  south  of  it. 

The  pond  is  about  one  hundred  and  thirteen  feet  from  the  southern  shore  of 
the  Lake,  and  separated  from  the  peat  meadow,  on  the  Southern  Division,  by 
the  county  road ;  a  culvert,  two  feet  in  diameter  is  laid  beneath  the  road,  by 
which  the  waters  are  discharged  into  the  meadow,  and  thence  pass  into  the 
Lake.  It  contains  about  forty-four  and  one-half  acres.  The  shore  all 
around  is  a  steep  gravelly  bank,  eight  or  ten  feet  high,  and  the  pond  natu- 
rally derives  its  water  wholly  from  springs.  The  city  has  also  acquired 
a  right  to  divert  the  waters  of  a  brook  on  the  east  side  into  it,  and  thereby 
insure  the  filling  up  of  the  pond  every  winter. 

The  water  is  quite  deep,  and  remarkably  pure  and  soft,  and  forms  a  highly 
important  tributary  to  the  Lake. 

High-water  mark  in  this  Pond  is  seventeen  feet  above  Knight's  Flume ;  or 
one  foot  nine  inches  below  the  gate  house  floor,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-one 
and  thirty-six  one-hundredths  above  tide  marsh  level. 

Dudley  Pond. 

The  City  also  purchased  the  outlet  to  Dudley  Pond,  containing  one  acre 
and  thirty  rods,  and  took  possession  of  its  waters.  This  pond  lies  in  a  north- 
eastern du-ection  from  the  Northern  Division  of  the  lake,  and  contains  eighty- 
one  acres,  at  an  elevation  of  about  twelve  feet  above  it.  The  water  is  very 
pure  and  soft,  and  there  is  no  other  outlet  than  that  owned  by  the  City, 
through  which  it  flows  into  Sudbury  River. 

This  pond  was  connected  with  the  Lake  in  the  year  1861,  thirteen  years  after 


240  [1865. 

the  introduction  of  the  water  into  the  City,  by  means  of  iron  pipes  eighteen 
inches  in  diameter  and  about  eight  hundred  feet  long,  which  pass  under  the 
road  leading  from  Wayland  to  Newton :  in  making  this  connection,  it  was 
necessary  to  cut  through  an  embankment  sLxty  feet  high,  as  the  nature  of  the 
soil  prevented  its  being  tunnelled.  The  land  between  this  pond  and  the  City's 
land  on  the  margin  of  the  Lake  was  taken  possession  of  under  the  Act,  but 
was  subsequently  purchased. 

High-water  mark  in  this  Pond  is  twenty-two  feet  and  ten  one-hundredths 
above  Knight's  Flume,  or  six  inches  below  the  top  of  the  gate  house  floor,  and 
one  hundred  and  forty-six  feet  and  forty-six  one-hundredths  above  tide  marsh 
level. 

The  Aqueduct. 

The  Aqueduct,  for  convenience  in  its  management,  is  divided  into  two  divi- 
sions, the  Western  and  Eastern.  The  Western  extends  from  the  Lake  to 
and  including  the  Receiving  Reservoir  in  Brookline.  The  Eastern  commences 
at  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  and  comprises  all  the  iron  mains  from  Brookline 
to  the  City,  and  the  Distribution  in  the  City. 

The  Brick  Conduit. 

•The  course  of  the  Brick  Conduit  is  accommodated  to  the  elevation  of  the 
different  parts  of  the  line,  by  winding  fn  a  series  of  irregular  curves ;  care 
being  taken,  where  it  was  possible,  to  adopt  such  a  route  as  would  permit  its 
being  buried  entirely  beneath  the  natural  surface  of  the  ground. 

Its  general  direction  after  leaving  the  Lake  is  southeasterly  for  about  four 
and  one-half  miles,  to  near  the  village  of  West  Needham.  It  then  turns  and 
runs  northeasterly  about  two  miles.  Thence  easterly,  crossing  Charles 
River,  about  three  and  one  quarter  miles.  Thence  northeasterly  through  the 
long  Tunnel,  about  two  and  one  half  miles  to  the  Ventilator.  Thence  south- 
easterly about  two  and  one  quarter  miles,  through  the  short  Tunnel,  to  the 
Receiving  Reservoir  at  Brookline;  passing  through  parts  of  the  towns  of 
Wayland,  Natick,  Needham,  Newton,  Brighton,  and  Brookline. 

The  Conduit,  from  the  Lake  to  the  left  bank  of  Charles  River,  and  from 
the  right  bank  of  the  same  to  Brookline  Reservoir,  is  built  of  brick  masonry, 
eight  inches  thick,  laid  in  hydraulic  cement.  It  is,  in  section,  an  egg-shaped 
oval,  the  largest  end  down ;  the  greatest  width  is  five  feet,  and  the  extreme 
height  six  feet  four  inches  in  the  interior.  It  is  covered  with  a  plastering  of 
hydraulic  cement  on  the  outside,  from  the  top  down  to  the  chord  line  of  the 
lower  or  inverted  arch,  more  effectually  to  prevent  the  percolation  of  surface 


syuaof 


1865.]  241 

water  into  it.  It  is  supported  on  a  puddled  embankment,  built  up  above  the 
chord  line  of  the  inverted  arch,  in  all  cases  where  the  Aqueduct  passes  over 
ground  the  level  of  which  falls  below  the  grade  line,  and  also  where  the 
ground  was  found  to  be  marshy,  or  from  any  cause  not  sufficiently  solid  to 
support  the  superstructure.  In  the  latter  case,  the  mud  and  loose  soil  were 
previously  removed  until  a  firm  bearing  could  be  had.  The  whole  is  covered 
with  an  embankment  eight  feet  wide  on  the  top,  with  side  slopes  of  two  feet 
horizontal  to  one  foot  vertical,  and  raised  four  feet  above  the  top  of  the 
Aqueduct.  The  Aqueduct  through  the  whole  distance  thus  rests  upon,  and 
is  covered  with  earth  to  a  depth  of  at  least  four  feet,  and  it  is  nowhere 
raised,  so  as  to  admit  a  passage  beneath  it,  excepting  at  the  culverts,  —  at  the 
crossing  of  Charles  River,  which  it  passes  by  three  iron  pipes,  two  of  thirty 
inch,  and  one  of  thirty-six  inch  diameter,  —  and  where  it  crosses  a  valley  in 
Needham,  near  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  In  the  latter  place,  it  is  carried 
over  the  roadway  by  a  granite  bridge,  of  one  arch  of  twenty  feet  span,  and 
fourteen  feet  high,  and  from  there  to  the  west  pipe-chamber  on  a  puddled 
embankment,  in  some  places  forty  feet  high. 

In  preparing  the  foundation  and  laying  the  reversed  arch  of  the  Conduit, 
much  delay  was  occasioned,  and  additional  labor  required  in  the  2d,  5th,  10th, 
and  some  other  Sections,  on  account  of  the  large  quantities  of  water,  and  in 
some  cases  quicksands,  which  were  found  near  the  bottom  of  the  cut. 

The  Conduit,  from  the  Lake  to  the  Brookline  gate  house,  is  divided  into 
Three  Divisions ;  the  first  being 29,800  feet  in  length;  the  second,  26,400  feet; 
and  the  third,  23,000  feet;  and  these  divisions  are  subdivided  into  Sections; 
the  first  comprising  sections  1,  2,  3,  4;  the  second,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9 ;  the  third,  10, 
11,  12,  13,  14,  15. 

The  whole  line  is  divided  on  the  inside  by  stations  of  one  hundred  feet 
each,  which  are  marked  by  metallic  figures  placed  on  the  sides,  about  five  feet 
above  the  bottom  of  the  Conduit,  and  the  large  Plans  of  the  Conduit  being 
marked  in  like  manner,  makes  it  an  easy  matter  to  fix  upon  the  exact  locality 
above  ground. 

The  Conduit,  for  the  greater  portion  of  its  length,  is  laid  entirely  beneath 
the  natural  surface  of  the  ground,  appearing  above  only  for  short  distances 
at  irregular  intervals.  The  greatest  depth  of  any  part  is  at  the  Tunnels  in 
Newton  and  Brookline,  at  the  former  of  which,  the  bottom  is  about  eighty  feet ; 
and  at  the  latter,  about  sixty  feet  below  the  surface. 

The  deepest  excavations  made  for  it,  were ;  —  at  a  short  distance  from 
the  G-ate  House  at  the  Lake,  near  the  waste  weir  at  Dedman's  Brook ;  near 
the  waste  weir  in  East  Needham ;  and  near  the  cold  spring  in  Section  nine, 


242  [1865. 

in  Newton.  It  was  laid  at  those  places  about  thirty  feet  deep.  The  longest 
interval  that  it  remains  beneath  the  surface  entirely  is  from  its  junction  with 
the  Lake,  for  a  distance  of  about  two  and  a  half  miles.  The  bottom  of  the 
Aqueduct  is  not  raised  above  the  level  of  the  natural  surface  of  the  ground 
for  more  than  three-fourths  of  a  mile  through  its  whole  extent. 

The  rate  of  Descent  in  the  brick  portion  is  three  and  one-sixth  inches  per 
mile.  The  Fall  for  the  whole  distance,  including  the  Pipe  Section  over  the 
valley  of  Charles  River,  is  nearly  three  and  one-half  inches  per  mile. 

The  whole  descent  or  fall  is  3.81  feet  in  the  brick  Conduit,  which  is 
14.307  miles  long.  In  the  Pipe  Section.  1,095  feet  long,  it  is  0.45  feet,  making 
in  the  whole  distance,  14.627  miles,  a  descent  of  4.26  feet. 

The  whole  quantity  of  land  originally  purchased  and  taken  possession  of 
by  the  City  along  the  line  of  the  Aqueduct,  from  the  Lake  to  Brookline  Res- 
ervoir, was  three  hundred  and  five  acres  and  eight  rods ;  the  City  has  the  fee 
in  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres  and  ninety-five  rods ;  and  holds,  by  pos- 
session, taken  under  the  Act,  twenty-eight  acres  and  seventy-three  rods. 

There  have  been  several  small  lots  purchased  since,  and  several  acres  have 
been  sold. 

The  first  brick  of  the  Aqueduct  was  laid  October  19th,  1846. 

The  bottom  was  all  united  September  17th,  1848,  and  Water  let  in 
October  12th,  1848. 

The  Mains  over  Chaeles  Rivbe,  Pipe  Chambees  and  Charles  River 

Bridge. 

The  remainder  of  this  part  of  the  Aqueduct  comprises  the  Mains  over  the 
valley  of  Charles  River  and  the  Tunnels  in  Brookline  and  Newton.  The 
former  consist  of  three  iron  pipes,  two  of  thirty  inches  in  diameter,  and  one 
of  thirty-six  inches,  which  descend  52.11  feet  below  the  level  of  the  Aque- 
duct on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  crossing  on  a  stone  bridge  built  over  the 
river ;  and  thence  are  continued  over  the  intervale  at  a  rather  lower  level, 
and  then  rise  to  the  Aqueduct  on  the  eastern  side. 

The  Charles  River  Bridge  is  constructed  of  hammered  granite,  of  three 
elliptical  arches,  of  thirty  feet  span  and  seven  and  one-half  feet  rise,  and 
twenty-one  feet  width.  The  horizontal  distance  between  their  termini  is 
1,095  feet. 

The  Pipe  Chambers,  constructed  at  each  end  of  the  Mains,  are  of  granite, 
with  iron  doors  and  stone  roofs ;  their  size  is  seventeen  feet  six  inches  by 
fifteen  feet.     The  admission  of  water  is  regulated  by  stop-planks. 


1865.]  243 

The  bottom  of  the  west  pipe  chamber  is  118.97  feet  above  tide  level. 
The  bottom  of  the  east  pipe  chamber  is  118.58  above  tide  level. 
The  water  in  the  river  at  its  lowest  state  is  seventy-one  feet  below  the  bot- 
tom of  the  brick  Conduit. 

The  Tunnels. 

There  are  two  Tunnels  excavated  through  porphyritic  rock,  of  extreme 
hardness,  in  the  towns  of  Newton  and  Brookline  respectively.  The  former  is 
twenty-four  hundred  and  ten  feet,  and  the  latter,  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  in 
length. 

A  course  of  concrete  is  laid  in  the  Tunnels,  of  variable  thickness,  to  form  a 
bottom  of  uniform  inclination,  coinciding  with  the  level  of  the  Aqueduct. 
Those  portions  which  showed  signs  of  perishable  rock  were  lined  with  brick 
masonry ;  and  brick  arches  of  extra  thickness  were  turned  over  the  water 
course  at  all  the  shafts  which  had  been  sunk  during  the  progress  of  the  exca- 
vation, for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  filling  of  earth  which  was  put  into 
them. 

In  the  Newton  Tunnel,  the  shafts  were  commenced  at  the  west  end,  about 
November  15th,  1846. 

The  first  drift  was  commenced  at  the  west  end,  December   30th,  1846. 

The  last  drift  was  completed  April  28th,  1848. 

The  brick  lining  was  completed  August  27th,  1848. 

In  the  Brookline  Tunnel,  the  shafts  were  commenced  December  17th,  1846. 

The  first  drift  was  commenced  about  January  30th,  1847. 

The  last  drift  was  completed  June  20th,  1848. 

The  brick  lining  was  completed  August  30th,  1848. 

The  Waste  Weirs. 

There  are  four  Waste  Weirs  constructed  for  the  purpose  of  letting  off  the 
water,  and  also  for  ventilation.  They  are  built  entirely  of  stone,  with  iron 
doors  and  stone  roofs ;  the  walls  being  carried  up  to  a  sufficient  height  to 
form  an  inclosure  over  the  works.  The  overfall  or  weir  is  of  stone,  through 
the  breast  of  which,  two  gates  are  fixed  to  draw  the  water  ofl"  when  required. 
The  gates  and  gate  frames  are  of  composition  metal  set  in  cut  stone,  the 
gates  being  worked  by  composition  screws  in  composition  nuts. 

The  First  Waste  Weir  in  Section  No.  3,  is  eight  by  fourteen  feet,  and 
situated  at  Dedman's  Brook,  about  three  miles  distant  from  the  gate  house 
at  the  Lake.  The  level  of  the  ground,  is  such  that  this  is  the  nearest  point 
where  the  water  could  be  discharged. 


244  [1865. 

The  Second  is  of  the  same  size,  and  situated  at  the  end  of  Section  No.  5 ; 
about  one  mile  west  of  Charles  River,  in  East  Needham.  The  Third,  also  of 
the  same  size,  is  situated  in  Section  No.  10,  at  the  outlet  of  Baptist  Pond,  in 
Newton  Centre,  about  three  miles  east  of  Charles  River.  And  the  Fourth, 
which  is  nine  feet  by  fifteen  feet  five  inches,  is  situated  in  Section  No.  13,  in 
Brooklinc,  about  a  mile  from  the  Reservoir. 

Complete  ventilation  has  been  secured  along  the  whole  line  of  the  Conduit 
by  these  Waste  Weu-s  and  one  Ventilator  built  expressly  for  the  purpose. 


Ventilator  and  Man-Holes. 

The  only  Ventilator,  strictly  so  called,  on  the  Aqueduct,  is  placed  near 
the  easterly  end  of  the  Tunnel,  in  Newton.  It  is  built  of  hammered  granite, 
and  is  eight  feet  square  at  the  base,  diminishing  as  it  rises  therefrom  to  a 
height  of  fourteen  feet  six  and  three-quarter  inches,  and  is  surmounted  by  a 
coping.  The  passage  inside  is  four  feet,  one  and  a  quarter  inches.  A  great 
benefit  derived  from  it  consists  in  the  means  which  it  affords  of  an  entrance 
into  the  Aqueduct,  for  the  purpose  of  cleansing  and  examining.  Man-Holes 
are  also  placed  along  the  Aqueduct  at  distances  of  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
apart,  for  the  latter  purpose.  They  are  covered  with  stone  slabs.  A  Plug- 
hole, twelve  inches  in  diameter,  is  also  made  near  the  Ventilator,  to  let  off 
the  water  from  the  Aqueduct  when  necessary. 


Culverts  and  Drains. 

There  are  ten  Culverts  and  thirteen  Barrel  Drains,  for  the  purpose  of 
draining  off  beneath  the  Aqueduct  the  water  in  its  vicinity. 

The  Culverts  are  all  of  granite,  with  hammer-dressed  joints,  and  laid  in 
hydraulic  cement.  Their  openings  are  from  two  to  eight  feet  wide;  the 
smallest  being  square  in  form,  and  the  largest  having  upper  and  inverted 
arches. 

The  Barrel  Drains  have  stone  ends  and  brick  centres,  and  are  laid  in 
hydraulic  cement.     They  are  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  in  diameter. 


1865.]  245 

TABLETS. 

The  Tablets  in  the  Gate  houses,  and  other  structures  belonging  to  the 
works,  bear  the  following  Inscriptions  : 

On  the  Gate  house  at  the  lake,  there  are  two  Tablets,  as  follows : 

No.  1. 

Boston  Water  Works. 

First  Division ;  Length,  30,083  feet. 

Commenced,  Aug.  1846.     Completed,  Oct.  1848.     Water  was  first  let  into 

the  Conduit,  Oct.  12,  1848. 

Resident  Engineer.  Contractors. 

T.  E.  Sickles.  Carmichael,  Gonder  &  Co. 

Assistant  Engineers.  McCullough  &  Clark, 

M.  Conant,  Francis  Blair, 

Wm.  E.  Furguson,  George  T.  Wheeler, 

G.  H.  Hyde.  Ebenezer  Johnson. 
E.  F.  Knowlton,  Superintendent  of  Masonry. 

No.  2. 

Boston  Water  Works. 

John  H.  Wilkins,  President. 
Ebenezer  Johnson,  Samuel  Hall, 

Tisdale  Drake,  John  T.  Dingley, 

Ebenezer  Atkins,  George  P.  French, 

Samuel  Hatch,  Samuel  N.  Dyer,  Cleric, 

E.  F.  Knowlton,  Superintendent  of  Western  Division, 
Albert  Stanwood,  "  Eastern         " 

James  Slade,  City  Engineer, 
William  F.  Davis,  Water  Registrar. 

Gate  house  raised  4  feet  8  inches. 

Dam  raised  2  feet. 

Aug.  1,  1859. 


246  [1865.. 

On  the  bridge  over  the  roadway,  in  the  valley  at  Neodham,  near  the  west 
bank  of  Charles  River : 

Boston  Water  Works. 

Second  Division;  Length,  26,453  feet. 

Begun  Nov.  1846.     Finished  Oct.  1848. 

Resident  Engineer.  ,  Contractors. 

H.  S.  McKean.  Clark,  Christy  &  Co., 

Assistant  Engineers.  J.  &  C.  Collins, 

J.  J.  Spooner,  J.  Healy, 

S.  S.  Greele.  E.  Lobdell. 

E.  F.  Knowlton,  Superintendent  of  Masonry. 

Li  the  Gate  house,  at  the  Brookline  Reservoir : 

Boston  Water  Works. 

Third  Division,  23,000  feet  in  length,  including  Reservoir.     Brookline  Tunnel, 
1,130  feet,  and  Newton  Tunnel,  2,410  feet. 

Resident  Engineer.  Contractors. 

T.  S.  Williams.  Ed.  Leonard  &  Sons,  for  the  Tunnels, 

Assistant  Engineers.  A.  J.  Hackley,  for  the  Reservoir, 

F.  J.  Williams,  Eb.  Johnson,  for  this  House, 

J.  A.  Williams,  Bryant  &  Blaisdell,  for  Waste  Weirs, 

J.  C.  C.  Hoskins,  Wm.  Gawne,  for  Conduit, 

Architect  for  this  House.  C.  G.  Morrison,  for  Conduit. 
C.  E.  Parker. 

E.  F.  Knowlton,  Superintendent  of  Masonry. 

On  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  there  are  three  Tablets ;  two  on  the  Derne 
Street  Facade,  and  one  on  the  lantern  at  the  top  of  the  staircase.  The  tablet 
on  Derne  Street,  near  the  corner  of  Temple  Street,  is  inscribed  as  follows : 

Boston  Water  Works. 

Begun  Aug.  1846.     Water  introduced  Oct.  1848. 

Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Mayor. 
Nathan  Hale,  •\ 

James  F.  Baldwin,   >  Commissioners. 
Thomas  B.  Curtis,   ) 


1865.]  247 

That  near  the  corner  of  Hancock  Street : 

Boston  Water  Works. 

W.  S.  Whitwell,  Eastern  Division,     -^ 

E.  S.  Chesbrough,  Western  Division,  >  Engineers. 

J.  B.  Jervis,  Consulting,  ) 

This  Eeservoir  completed  Nov.  1849. 

John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 

On  the  panel  of  the  Lantern : 

Beacon  Hill  Reservoir. 
Capacity,  2,880,000  gallons.     Area  of  base,  36,920  feet. 
Distance  from  Brookline  Reservoir,  4  miles,  3,778       « 
"  South  Boston,  2     "       2,110      « 

"  East  Boston,  2     "       3,440       " 

Corner  Stone  laid  Nov.  20,  1847. 

Water  Committee. 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Mayor. 
William  Parker,   ^ 
George  E.  Head,  ^  ^^^^»*«»- 

James  Whiting, 

Samuel  W.  Hall,  1 

Henry  W.  Button,  \  Common  Council. 

Jabez  Coney, 

William  W.  Greenough,  - 

Benjamin  Seaver,  President  Common  Council. 
James  C.  Dunn,  City  Treasurer. 
Elisha  Copeland,  City  Auditor. 
Peleg  W.  Chandler,  City  Solicitor. 
Francis  Tukey,  City  Marshal. 
Samuel  P.  McCleary,  City  Cleric. 

George  H,  Bailey, 

James  Slade, 

James  P.  Shephard,   M^««'«^«^^  Engineers. 

Frederick  Budden, 

Charles  Pratt,  Superintendent. 

Samuel  Holbrook,  Commissioners'  Clerk. 


248 


[1865. 


Charles  G.  Case,  >  „  .,  , 
o.  1  T-i         n    >  Duilaers. 

Samuel  Farwell,  5 

Eames,  Stimpson  &  Co.,        >  Contractors  for  Stone. 
Jeremiah  W  etherbee  &  Co.,  5 

Completed  Nov.  15,  1849. 

Water  Committee. 

John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 

William  Pope,  )    ^ , , 

1  TT  11      ?  Aldermen. 
Samuel  Hall,    5 

William  W.  G-reenough,  ^ 

Joseph  Smith, 

John  P.  Putnam,  V  Common  Council. 

Robert  Marsh, 

Richard  B.  Callender, 


1851.] 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Newton  Aqueduct  and  Company  —  The  property  of  the  Company  —  Agreement  between 
the  City  and  the  Company  — r  Brookline  Eeservoir  —  Small  Conduit  in  the  embankment 
—  Gate  Houses  — Beacon  HiU  Eeservoir  —  South  Boston  Eeservoir  —  East  Boston  Ees- 
ervoir —  Compensating  Eeservoirs  —  Jamaica  Pond  Aqueduct  —  Chestnut  Hill  Eeservoir. 

Newton  Aqueduct. 

Among  the  claims  which  were  made  on  the.  City  for  damages  arising  out  of 
the  construction  of  the  Aqueduct,  were  several  for  large  amounts  for  injury- 
occasioned  by  draining  off  the  springs  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Newton 
Tunnel. 

To  meet  these  demands,  and  obtain  the  means  of  compensation  for  them,  an 
Aqueduct  was  constructed  in  Newton  by  means  of  the  formation  of  a  com- 
pany, under  the  provisions  of  the  law  of  the  Commonwealth,  called  the 
Newton  Aqueduct  Company.  The  particulars  of  this  organization  will 
be  found  in  Part  II.,  Chapter  XIV. 

The  property  of  the  company  consists  of  a  large  well,  which  was  dug  on 
the  land  now  or  formerly  of  John  Ward,  in  Newton,  and  a  Reservoir  formed 
beneath  the  surface,  at  a  sufficient  elevation,  from  which  a  4-inch  iron  pipe  was 
laid  through  the  streets ;  and  from  this  main  branches  are  taken  by  one-half 
inch  inside  diameter  lead  pipe,  leading  into  five  cisterns  on  different  farms. 
These  cisterns  are  of  brick,  laid  in  cement  and  made  water  tight,  and  of  suffi- 
cient size  to  hold  three  hundred  gallons  each ;  at  the  end  of  each  supply  pipe 
i"^  attached  a  ball  and  stopcock,  to  prevent  the  overflow  of  the  cistern  and  the 
waste  of  water. 

The  several  holders  of  water-rights  are  restricted  to  use  the  water  by  means 
of  suction  pumps  only,  and  have  agreed  to  keep  their  own  cisterns,  leading 
pipes  and  pumps  in  good  order  and  in  suitable  repair,  and  not  to  make  or 
suffer  any  waste  of  the  water,  nor  permit  any  to  be  taken  away  from  their 
premises. 

32 


250  [1849. 

December  20tli,  1849,  the  City  of  Boston  entered  into  an  agreement  with 
the  Aqueduct  Company  to  assume  the  care  of  the  works,  and  carry  out  all 
the  terms  of  an  agreement  entered  into  by  the  said  Company  with  Ann 
Brackctt,  Clarissa  Brackett,  Hannah  Brackett,  Francis  Pettcc,  and  Ann  Pcttce 
his  wife,  all  of  Newton,  and  Silas  Stevens,  and  Sarah  Stevens  his  wife,  of 
Brighton.  In  this  agreement,  these  parties  relinquished  all  claims  on  the  City 
of  Boston  which  they  had  at  any  time  heretofore  or  then  had  for  damages  of 
every  kind  and  nature,  on  account  of  the  construction  of  the  Cochituate  Water 
Works ;  the  agreement  of  the  Company  was,  to  furnish  the  said  parties  and 
their  successors  with  water  from  their  Aqueduct  in  said  Newton,  so  long  as 
there  is  a  supply  in  the  well  from  which  said  Aqueduct  leads ;  and  that  they 
would  keep  said  Aqueduct  in  good  order,  so  that  the  water  would  run  through 
the  same  when  there  was  a  sufficient  quantity  in  the  well. 

It  was  expressly  understood  and  agreed,  that  the  company  did  not  wan-ant, 
or  intend  to  warrant,  the  continuance  of  a  supply  of  water  in  said  well,  Jior 
were  they  to  be  responsible  or  liable  if  it  should  fail  at  any  time  hereafter, 
from  any  cause  whatever,  except  from  the  stoppage  of  the  main  pipe. 

The  company  also  reserved  the  right  to  supply  other  parties,  and  to  limit 
the  supply  to  the  above  first  mentioned  parties,  in  the  event  of  a  drought  or 
scarcity,  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  wine  gallons  in  twenty^four  hours. 

Brookline  Receiving  Reservoir. 

The  Brookline  Reservoir  is  situated  at  the  Eastern  termination  of  the 
brick  portion  of  the  Aqueduct,  in  Brookline. 

It  is  formed  out  of  a  natural  basin,  enclosed  almost  entirely  by  banks  rising 
to  a  considerable  height  above  it.  On  the  northerly  side,  however,  there  was 
no  bank;  consequently  a  puddled  embankment  was  built  up  to  a  height  of 
about  twenty-six  feet,  and  was  supported  by  a  retaining  wall  eight  feet  in 
height.  For  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  banks  from  the  action  of  the  water 
the  inner  slope  of  the  Reservoir  is  lined  with  a  slope-wall  of  granite  rubble, 
eighteen  inches  thick,  and  fourteen  feet  broad ;  this  lining  rising  to  within  one 
foot  of  the  top  of  the  bank. 

The  greatest  depth  of  water  is  near  the  principal  gate-house,  twenty-four 
feet.  The  least  depth  is  near  the  upper  gate-house,  where  it  is  about  fourteen 
feet.  The  embankment  is  twenty  feet  wide  at  the  top,  with  a  gravel  walk  all 
around. 

The  area  of  the  Reservoir,  at  a  level  of  six  feet  below  the  top  of  the  dam, 
is  22.31  acres,  and  its  capacity  89,909,730  wine  gallons ;  the  contour  of  the 
water  line  being  4,696  feet  long.     At  two  feet  below  the  top  of  the  dam,  it 


1849.]  251 

contains  an  area  of  22.95  acres,  and  the  capacity  is  119,583,960  gallons;  the 
contour  of  the  water  line  is,  at  this  level,  4,757  feet.  The  Reservoir  in  shape 
'is  an  irregular  oval. 

A  cylindrical  brick  Conduit  is  laid  at  a  depth  of  eight  feet  within  the 
northern  embankment,  to  connect  with  that  from  the  Lake,  and  conduct  the 
water  around  the  Reservoir  to  the  Pipe  Chambers,  by  means  of  which  it  was 
intended  that  the  supply  of  the  mains  should  be  kept  up,  when  the  water  is 
shut  oif  from  the  Reservoir  for  cleansing  it,  or  for  any  other  purpose.  This 
answered  the  purpose  for  the  first  few  years ;  but  afterward  the  consumption 
increased  so  much,  that  it  became  wholly  inadequate. 

There  are  two  Fire-Peoop  Gate  Houses,  the  upper  for  receiving  the 
termination  of  the  brick  portion  of  the  Aqueduct,  and  the  lower  for  the 
commencement  of  the  iron  Main  leading  to  the  City,  with  regulating  gates, 
gauges,  etc. 

The  Principal  or  lower  Gate  House  has  its  front  on  the  street,  where  it 
is  twenty-six  feet,  four  inches  wide,  by  thirty-six  feet,  eight  inches  high,  including 
the  basement,  which  is  sixteen  feet,  four  inches.  It  is  set  in  the  embankment 
and  projects  about  four  feet  in  front  of  the  retaining  wall.  The  height  in  the 
rear  is  twenty  feet.  The  length  of  the  building  is  forty-four  feet,  four  inches. 
Two  iron  stair-cases  ascend  from  the  basement  to  the  main  floor. 

The  building  is  of  hammered  granite  with  an  iron  roof.  The  main  floor  is 
on  a  level  with  the  top  of  the  embankment,  and  the  bottom  of  the  gates  which 
regulate  the  admission  of  water  into  the  Pipe  Chambers  is  twenty-six  feet 
below  the  floor. 

The  gates  and  gate  frames  are  of  iron,  plated  with  composition  metal,  set  in 
hammered  granite.  They  are  worked  by  composition  screws  in  composition 
nuts.  There  are  three  pipe  chambers,  into  which  the  mains  now  laid  are 
introduced;  two  only  having  been  used  until  the  year  1859,  when  the  40-inch 
main  was  laid  over  the  Mill-dam. 

At  the  Upper  Gate  House  is  the  termination  of  the  brick  Aqueduct,  and  it 
is  fitted  with  Stop  Planks  and  a  Flap  Gate  for  regulating  the  flow  of  water  into 
the  Reservoir.  The  building  is  of  granite,  with  a  stone  roof  The  front  is 
eleven  feet,  three  inches  wide,  by  eleven  feet,  four  inches  high,  and  the  length 
twelve  feet. 

The   top  of  the  dam  or  embankment  is    126.60  above  tide  marsh  level. 
The  upper  floor  of  the  principal  gate  house,  126.76      "         "  " 

Low  water  mark,  120.60      "         "  « 

The  bottom  of  the  interior  of  the  Aqueduct,  116.76      "         "  « 

The  bottom  of  the  Reservoir,  100.60      "         "  « 


252  [1849. 

An  account  of  the  land  purchased  for  this  Reservoir  -will  be  found  in  Part 
n.,  Chapter  XH. 

Distributing  Reservoirs. 

Tbcre  are  three  Distributing  Reservoirs  constructed  for  tlie  purpose  of 
receiving  the  water  from  the  Mains  leading  from  the  Brookline  Reservoir 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  day  and  the  night,  when  it  is  presumed  but  little 
will  be  drawn  from  the  Service-pipes  j  and  of  supplying  it  to  the  Service-pipes 
in  the  morning,  when  the  greater  portion  for  domestic  purposes  is  required. 
By  this  means,  a  continuous  supply  can  be  kept  up  to  a  more  uniform  height. 

Beacon  Hill  Distributing  Reservoir. 

The  most  costly  Distributing  Reservoir  belonging  to  the  Water  Works  is 
erected  nearly  on  the  site  where  the  monument  on  Beacon  Hill  formerly  stood. 
The  foundation  of  the  Reservoir  is  more  than  seventy  feet  below  the  original 
height  of  the  hill. 

It  is  bounded  northerly  by  Derne  Street,  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  feet, 
three  inches ;  easterly  by  Temple  Street,  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  feet, 
eleven  inches;  southerly  by  the  yards  to  the  dwelling-houses  fronting  on 
Mount  Yernon  Street,  two  hundred  and  six  feet,  five  inches ;  and  westerly  by 
Hancock  Street,  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  feet,  seven  inches ;  and  it  is  built 
with  great  care  and  labor  of  the  most  massive  description  of  stone  masonry. 

The  whole  structure  is  of  granite,  laid  in  hydraulic  cement,  with  hammered 
beds  and  builds,  and  an  undressed  external  surface,  surmounted  with  a  deep, 
dressed  cornice.  The  outer  walls  are  three  feet  thick ;  and  the  one  on  Derne 
Street  is  pierced  with  five  arches,  and  rises  above  the  sidewalk  fifty-eight  feet, 
nine  inches,  to  the  top  of  the  coping.  The  rise  in  the  grade  on  both  Temple 
and  Hancock  streets,  from  Derne  Street  to  the  southerly  corners  of  the  Reser- 
voir, being  eighteen  feet,  leaves  the  coping  at  those  corners  forty  feet,  nine 
inches,  above  the  sidewalks. 

The  bottom  of  the  basin  containing  the  water  is  fifteen  feet,  eight  inches, 
below  the  top  of  the  coping.  The  lateral  walls  of  the  basin  are  built  twelve 
feet  within  the  exterior  walls  of  the  Reservoir.  They  are  of  granite,  five  feet 
thick  at  the  lower  part,  and  three  feet  at  the  top.  The  bottom  of  the  Reser- 
voir is  covered  with  concrete  to  a  depth  of  three  feet,  and  afterwards  paved 
with  two  courses  of  bricks. 

The  basin  is  supported  on  arches  of  granite.  Of  these  arches,  seven 
extend  parallel  from  Hancock  Street  towards  Temple  Street,  from  wall  to 
wall.    They  are  from  eleven  feet,  nine  inches,  to  fifteen  feet,  six  inches,  between 


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1849.]  ■  253 

the  piers,  and,  varying  with  the  declivity  of  the  foundation,  are  from  twenty- 
three  to  thirty-two  feet  high.  They  give  support  to  about  two-thirds  of  the 
superstructure,  extending  from  the  rear  of  Mt.  Vernon  Street  until  they  meet 
the  arches  running  from  Derne  Street  at  right  angles  to  them. 

The  Derne  Street  arches,  seven  in  number,  extend  back  from  Derne  Street 
fifty-seven  feet  and  six  inches ;  they  are  twenty  feet,  three  inches  wide,  and 
vary  in  height  with  the  declivity  of  the  land  from  thirty-seven  to  thirty-nine 
feet,  the  piers  supporting  the  arches  being  three  feet  through.  Five  of  them 
open  on  the  street,  varying  in  height  from  thirty-six  feet  to  thirty-eight  feet, 
and  being  fourteen  feet,  nine  inches  wide. 

The  lateral  walls  of  the  basin  rest  on  the  course  of  concrete ;  and  there  is 
a  space  of  four  feet,  nine  inches  between  them  and  the  outer  walls.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  17,000  cubic  yards  of  hydraulic  masonry  and  concrete  were  used 
in  the  construction. 

The  Influent  Main  is  introduced  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  struc- 
ture; and  a  staircase,  in  the  same  corner,  contains  a  flight  of  stone  steps 
leading  to  the  top,  and  is  protected  on  the  top  by  a  lantern,  of  cast-iron,  nine 
feet  one  inch  high,  by  ten  feet  six  inches  wide,  in  the  interior. 

The  Efiluent  Main,  thirty  inches  in  diameter,  passes  out  at  the  northwestern 
corner. 

The  contents  of  the  basin  are  equal  to  2,678,961  gallons,  its  mean  hori- 
zontal section  being  28,014  square  feet.  The  maximum,  or  high  water  level, 
in  Brookline  Reservoir,  which  now  is  124.60  feet  above  tide  marsh  level,  is 
eleven  inches  above  the  coping  of  the  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir,  or  sixteen  feet, 
seven  inches  above  the  bottom  of  the  basin ;  the  minimum  level  of  the  Brook- 
line  is  four  feet  below  this  line.     The  bottom  of  the  Reservoir  is 

Above  tide  marsh  level 108.47  feet. 

The  top  of  the  coping  outside  .         .         .         .         .         .     124.47    " 

The  bottom  of  the  Waste  Weir 121.53    " 

South  Boston  Distributing  Reservoir. 

The  South  Boston  Reservoir  is  placed  on  the  east  side  of  Telegraph  Hill, 
South  Boston.  The  walls  are  formed  of  a  puddled  embanlanent,  lined  inside 
with  granite  rubble,  and  the  bottom  paved  with  pebble  stones.  It  resembles 
in  shape  a  segment  of  an  ellipse,  measuring  across  the  widest  part  about 
three  hundred  and  seventy  feet,  and  about  two  hundred  and  sixty-four  across 
the  narrowest  part.  Its  capacity  is  7,508,246  gallons.  The  top  of  the  dam 
is  125.86  feet  above  tide  marsh  level,  and  the  bottom  of  the  Reservoir  is 
104.41  feet.      High  water  mark  in  the  Reservoir  is   seventeen  feet,  nine 


254  [1849. 

iuchcs,  above  the  bottom,  and  one  foot,  niuc  inclies,  below  low  water  mark 
at  the  Lake. 

East  Boston  Distributing  Reservoir. 

The  East  Boston  Reservoir  is  placed  on  Eagle  Hill,  East  Boston. 

Its  walls  are  formed  by  a  puddled  embankment,  lined  with  stone  in  the 
interior ;  the  bottom  paved,  and  covered  with  concrete.  It  is  rectangular  in 
shape,  measuring  three  hundred  and  twenty-two  feet  by  one  hundred  and  fifty ; 
and  contains,  at  a  level  three  feet  below  its  top,  5,591,816  wine  gallons.  High 
water  mark  is  twenty-seven  feet  above  the  bottom  of  the  Reservoir,  and 
seventeen  feet,  three  inches  below  low  water  mark  at  the  Lake.  The  outside 
slope  of  the  embankment,  on  the  west,  is  ninety-three  and  one-half  feet ;  on  the 
east,  seventy  and  one-half  feet ;  on  the  south,  sixty-seven  feet,  and  on  the  north, 
fifty-SLs  feet.     The  top  walk  is  seven  feet  wide. 

The  Compensating  Reservoirs. 

The  City  purchased  and  held  two  Compensating  Reservoirs  in  the  towns  of 
Hopkinton  and  Marlborough,  as  mentioned  in  Part  H. 

The  Hopkinton,  or  Whitehall  Reservoir,  was  situated  in  the  town  of  Hop- 
kinton, in  the  county  of  Middlesex.  Following  the  very  circuitous  course  of 
Sudbury  river,  into  which  it  discharges,  it  was  about  eighteen  miles  distant 
from  the  outlet  of  the  Lake. 

The  Reservoir  extended  over  an  area  of  five  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres, 
the  height  of  the  dam  was  ten  feet,  ten  and  one-half  inches,  and  when  full  the 
water  was  nine  feet,  ten  and  two-thirds  inches  deep. 

Its  capacity  was  estimated  at  125,403,290  cubic  feet,  or  940,524,675  wine 
gallons. 

The  Marlborough,  or  Fort  Meadow  Reservoir,  was  situated  in  the  town  of 
Marlborough,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  about  twelve  miles  distant  from  the 
Lake. 

This  Reservoir  had  a  water-shed  of  2,257  acres,  and  covered  an  area  of  two 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  acres.  The  height  of  the  dam  was  thirty  feet,  and 
when  full,  the  water  was  twenty-five  feet  deep ;  it  discharged  into  the  Assabet 
river,  and  following  its  course  was  about  fourteen  miles  distant  from  its  union 
with  Sudbury  river,  by  which  the  Concord  river  is  formed.  The  capacity  of 
the  Reservoir  was  estimated  at  185,932,787  cubic  feet,  or  1,394,495,902  gal- 
lons. 

Ramshorn  and  Boon  Ponds,  lying  about  two  miles  distant,  were  included  in 
the  purchase  of  this  Reservoir. 


•55 

1 


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1M9.]  255 

The  Hopkinton  Reservoir  cost  the  Citj,  when  completed,  ready  for  use, 
129,534.36,  and  the  Marlborough,  $43,170.59. 

The  Marlborough  Reservoir  was  sold  in  1858,  and  the  Hopkinton,  in  1859, 
the  particulars  of  which  sale  have  already  been  given  in  Part  III.,  Chapter  XIX. 

Jamaica  Pond. 

In  the  year  1851,  the  Water  Board  purchased,  in  behalf  of  the  City,  the 
franchise  and  property  of  the  "  Aqueduct  Corporation,"  owners  of  Jamaica 
Pond,  in  Roxbury,  for  the  sum  of  $45,237.50.  This  was  sold  in  the  year 
1856,  for  the  sum  of  $32,000,  the  particulars  of  which  sale  are  given  in  Part 
m..  Chapter  XVIII. 

The  Pond  is  situate  in  the  town  of  Roxbury,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk. 
The  surface  of  the  water  at  its  minimum  level,  or  when  one  foot  above  the 
lower  side  of  the  effluent  pipe,  is,  according  to  a  survey  of  the  pond  made  by 
Col.  Loammi  Baldwin,  1833,  45.27  feet  above  the  coping  of  the  dry  dock  at 
the  Navy  Yard  in  Charlestown,  or  50.36  feet  above  tide  level.  At  the  time 
of  the  survey,  the  water  was  4.43  feet  above  the  minimum  level,  and  covered 
an  area  of  67.22  acres,  or  2,928,103  square  feet. 

An  iron  main,  ten  inches  in  diameter,  was  laid  in  1840.  It  passed  from 
the  pond  to  the  street,  by  Mr.  Ward's  farm-house,  and  thence,  partly  beneath 
the  street  and  partly  through  the  land  of  Ebenezer  Francis  and  others,  to 
Tremont  Street,  and  by  that  street  to  Bowdoin  Square  in  Boston.  This  pipe 
was  disconnected  at  the  line  between  Boston  and  Roxbury  at  the  time  of  the 
sale  of  this  property  by  the  City,  but  the  portion  in  Boston  has  never  been 
taken  up. 

Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir. 

This  Reservoir  is  still  in  the  course  of  construction.  When  it  is  completed, 
the  Water  Board  will  of  course  give  a  detailed  and  elaborate  report  of  it ; 
and  therefore  only  the  following  general  description  is  now  given  : 

The  land  selected  is  a  natural  basin,  containing  over  two  hundred  acres, 
situated  about  five  miles  from  City  Flail,  and  a  mile  from  the  Brookline 
Reservoir,  near  Chestnut  Hill  from  which  the  Reservoir  derives  its  name,  and 
lying  in  the  towns  of  Brighton  and  Newton :  the  former  course  of  Beacon 
Street  being  interrupted  and  carried  around  it. 

The  Reservoir  will  be  about  two  and  a  half  miles  in  circumference,  and  is 
divided  into  two  basins  of  irregular  shape ;  the  upper,  or  Lawrence  Meadow 
Basin,  having  a  water  surface  of  about  thirty-seven  and  a  half  acres,  and  the 
lower  basin,  a  water  surface  of  eighty-seven  and  a  half  acres.     The  average 


256  [1849. 

depth  of  the  upper  basin  will  be  about  fifteen,  and  that  of  the  lower  basin, 
twenty  feet.  The  entire  capacity  of  both  is  nearly  eight  hundred  million 
gallons,  a  quantity  sufficient  to  supply  the  City,  at  its  present  rate  of  consump- 
tion, for  nearly  two  months,  and  equal  to  five  times  the  capacity  of  the  other 
four  Reservoirs. 

The  declivities  of  hills  around  the  Reservoir  form  a  natural  foundation  for 
a  large  part  of  the  marginal  bank ;  for  the  remaining  portion,  however,  it  has 
been  necessary  to  construct  an  embankment  of  about  two  thousand  feet  in 
length,  and  varying  in  height,  the  greatest  altitude  being  about  thirty-five  feet. 

To  protect  them  from  the  wash  of  the  water,  the  inner  slope  of  the  banks 
is  lined  with  stone  two  and  a  half  feet  thick,  extending  downward  nineteen 
feet  on  an  inclined  plane  of  two  feet  in  one ;  and  at  the  foot  of  this  stone 
lining,  another  embankment  or  berme  is  formed  for  the  support  of  the  first 
lining ;  it  is  five  feet  wide  on  top,  and  has  a  slope  of  three  feet  in  one. 

The  two  basins  are  separated  by  a  water-tight  dam,  at  the  centre  of  which 
is  the  Intermediate  Gate  House,  so  arranged  as  to  connect  the  two  when 
necessary;  and  as  the  main  Conduit  runs  lengthwise  through  this  dam,  the 
water  can  be  let  into  one  or  both  basins  at  this  point ;  or  the  water  from  the 
Lake  can  be  shut  off,  and  the  Brookline  Reservoir  supplied  from  this  Reservoir 
through  the  brick  Conduit. 

There  is  also  to  be  an  Influent  Gate-House  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
upper  basin,  and  an  Effluent  Gate-House  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  lower  basin, 
near  the  corner  of  Beacon  and  Brighton  streets.  From  the  latter  house,  a 
4S-inch  iron  Main  will  be  laid,  to  connect  with  the  present  mains  near  the 
gate  house  in  Brookline.  This  building  will  be  sufficiently  large,  and  expressly 
arranged  for  three  other  Mains  of  the  same  size  whenever  they  may  be 
required. 

Around  the  entire  margin,  there  will  be  a  gravelled  Walk,  eight  feet  wide, 
with  six  feet  of  sodding  on  each  side  of  it ;  and  outside  of  this  walk  there  will 
be  a  Driveway,  varying  in  width  from  sixty  to  eighty  feet. 

A  large  portion  of  this  Driveway  will  be  on  a  level  with  the  embankment ; 
fsome  portions,  however,  rise  to  thirty  feet  above  it,  giving  an  uninterrupted 
view  of  both  basins.  At  some  points,  it  will  be  carried  away  a  short  distance 
from  the  margin,  through  groves ;  at  others,  it  will  be  widened,  passing  on  either 
side  of  large  bowlders ;  and  its  curvatures,  and  the  diversified  character  of  the 
scenery  through  which  it  passes,  will  add  to  its  attraction. 

To  give  a  general  idea  of  what  is  contemplated,  we  annex  Plans  of  the 
Grounds  and  of  the  Gate  Houses. 


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TnfT^i'ettt  Gate  Soxes e^ 

cot 

CJieMrtut  Sill    Jieservoir. 


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Ni         S 


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1849.] 


CHAPTEE     XXIY. 

The  Mains  —  Eoute  of  the  Thirty-six  and  Thirty-inch  Mains  —  Eoute  of  the  Forty- inch 
Main  —  Distributing  Pipes  and  their  size  —  South  Boston  Main  —  East  Boston  Main  — 
Gates,  Air  Cocks,  Blow-offs  and  Hydrants  connected  with  the  Mains  —  Service-Pipes  — 
Public  Fountains  —  Cost  of  the  Works. 

The  Mains. 

From  the  Reservoir  to  the  City,  the  Conduit  consists  of  three  Iron  Mains ; 
one  forty  inches,  one  thirty-six  inches,  and  the  other  thirty  inches  in  diameter. 
The  36  and  30-inch  pipes  are  laid  side  by  side,  the  36-inch  pipe  on  the 
southerly  side  of  the  30-inch  pipe,  beneath  the  public  highway  which  was 
formerly  the  Worcester  Turnpike,  to  Brookline  village,  with  the  exception 
of  about  one  hundred  feet  in  length  in  Mr.  Goddard's  land  near  the  gate 
house ;  and  thence  by  the  public  streets,  through  Brookline  and  Roxbury,  to 
Tremont  Street  in  Boston,  and  through  that  street  to  Dover  Street,  a  distance 
of  about  three  miles  and  two-thirds  from  the  Reservoir. 

At  this  place,  the  36-inch  pipe  is  reduced  to  one  of  thirty  inches,  and 
these  two  Mains  pass  together  through  Tremont  Street  to  Boylston  Street. 
From  this  point  the  Main,  originally  thirty  inches,  is  laid  across  the  Common, 
through  Joy  and  Mt.  Yernon  streets  to  Hancock  Street,  to  supply  the  Reser- 
voir on  Beacon  Hill.  It  then  passes  by  the  side  of  the  Reservoir,  through 
Hancock  and  Cambridge  streets,  to  the  corner  of  Ohardon  Street  in  Bowdoin 
Square. 

The  originally  36-inch  Main,  which  had  been  reduced  to  thirty  inches,  passes 
down  Boylston  Street  to  Washington  Street.  It  is  there  again  reduced  to  one 
of  twenty-four  inches,  and  passes  through  Washington  Street,  Dock  Square, 
Union,  Merrimac,  Ivers  and  Chardon  streets  to  Bowdoin  Square,  where 
it  joins  the  other  30-inch  Main. 

The  two  Mains  are  laid  at  a  sufficient  depth  to  be  secure  from  frost,  and 
are  carried  across  the  Boston  and  Worcester,  now  Boston  and  Albany,  Rail- 

83 


258  [1849. 

road  in  Tremont  Street,  outside  and  west  of  the  street  bridge  there,  on  an 
independent  fire-proof  structure. 

The  40-inch  Main,  which  was  laid  in  1859,  eleven  years  after  the  intro- 
duction of  water  into  the  City,  commences  at  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  and 
is  connected  by  a  taper  pipe  with  a  30-inch  pipe  that  was  originally  laid 
through  the  bulkhead  of  the  Reservoir,  as  it  was  not  considered  safe  to 
remove  it ;  but  on  top  of  the  taper  pipe,  there  is  a  20-inch  inlet,  which  is 
now  capped,  and  can  be  connected  through  the  bulkhead  above  the  present 
pipe,  if  the  supply  should  prove  insufficient. 

From  the  Reservoir,  this  Main  is  laid  on  the  southerly  side  of  the  36- 
inch  Main,  until  it  reaches  a  point  known  as  the  Punch  Bowl  corner,  a  distance 
of  about  5,190  feet;  at  this  point,  it  passes  under  the  other  Mains,  and  runs 
in  a  northeasterly  direction  until  it  reaches  the  Mill-dam  road,  where  it  turns 
and  runs  in  an  easterly  du-ection  on  the  southerly  side  of  the  Mill-dam  road 
to  the  corner  of  Charles  and  Beacon  streets.  In  reaching  this  point,  it  passes 
over  the  culvert  at  Appleton  Place  and  over  the  high  and  low  water  gates  in 
the  Mill-dam,  resting  on  the  abutments.  Trusses  are  also  placed  on  each  side . 
of  the  pipe,  and  the  whole  covered  with  plank,  and  the  roadway  made  good 
by  a  covering  of  gravel. 

At  Charles  Street,  it  enters  the  Common  under  the  gate-way,  and  crosses 
the  Common  diagonally,  passing  under  the  3 6 -inch  Main  that  supplies  Beacon 
Hill  Reservoir  to  a  point  opposite  the  corner  of  Mason  and  Tremont  streets ; 
at  which  place,  it  is  connected  with  the  continuation  of  the  36-inch  Main,  and 
then  turns  at  a  right  angle,  and  continues  by  the  side  of  the  30-inch  Main  for 
about  five  hundred  and  forty  feet ;  then  curves  into  Tremont  Street,  on  the 
east  side,  to  the  corner  of  Boylston  Street,  where  it  connects  with  the  reduced 
36-inch  Main. 

A  12-inch  Connection  is  made  with  this  40-inch  main  at  Arlington  Street 
to  assist  in  the  supply  of  the  Back  Bay  lands ;  also  a  connection  at  Charles 
Street  to  supply  Beacon  Street  as  extended. 

There  are  also  two  Branches  connected  with  the  Main,  one  opposite  Apple- 
ton  Place,  and  one  on  the  west  side  of  the  low  water  gates ;  the  latter  has  a 
36-inch  outlet. 

On  the  Mains,  there  are  seven  air  valves,  placed  at  the  different  summits 
along  the  line,  and  sixteen  Man-holes,  which  are  cast  in  the  pipes,  and  are 
placed  about  one  thousand  feet  apart. 

Three  Hydrants  arc  also  located  on  the  line,  two  in  Brookline,  one  in  Rox- 
bary  and  six  Blow-offs  are  in  the  first  hollow  from  the  Reservoir  and  at  the 


1852.]  259 

Punch  Bowl  corner,  two  at  the  Mill-dam  corner,  one  on  the  west  side  of 
the  low  water  gate,  and  one  at  the  corner  of  Charles  and  Beacon  streets. 

The  work  of  laying  this  40-inch  main  was  commenced  April  8th,  1859, 
and  was  completed  May  8th,  1860,  at  an  expense  of  $304,991.83.  The 
total  number  of  pipes  purchased  for  this  main  was  1,947,  besides  the  branches 
and  reducing  pipes  j  and  the  total  weight  of  metal,  5,827  tons,  which  cost 
$196,004.12. 

Distributing  Pipes. 

By  the  side  of  the  Mains,  and  connected  with  them  at  intervals,  is  laid  a 
Side  pipe,  six  inches  in  diameter ;  except  from  Northampton  to  Dwight  Street, 
on  Tremont  Street,  where  it  is  twelve  inches  diameter.  The  object  of  this  is 
to  prevent  the  necessity  of  interrupting  the  flow  of  water  through  the  Mains, 
when  it  is  required  to  supply  a  new  tenant,  which  otherwise  could  only  be  done 
by  drawing  off  the  water  from  the  main  for  several  hundred  feet,  while  the 
work  was  going  on. 

From  the  Mains  as  they  pass  by  the  several  streets  in  their  route,  the  Dis- 
tributing pipes  of  four,  sis,  twelve  and  sixteen  inches  in  diameter,  branch 
off. 

Those  of  six  inches  in  diameter,  generally,  and  all  under,  are  connected 
with  the  attending  side  pipe ;  and  those  of  a  greater  diameter  enter  directly 
iiito  the  mains. 

At  Dover  Street,  a  pipe  of  twenty  inches  is  connected  with  the  36-inch 
Main,  and  passes  through  Dover  Street  under  South  Boston  Bridge,  to  South 
Boston  Reservoir.  At  the  draw,  the  pipe  is  carried  down  into  a  trench 
excavated  in  the  hard  bottom  of  the  channel,  a  distance  of  thirty-two  and 
a  half  feet  below  the  top  of  the  bridge,  and  brought  up  on  the  opposite 
side,  the  syphon  being  laid  in  a  box  filled  in  with  hydraulic  cement.  The 
distance  between  the  arms  of  the  syphon  is  forty-one  feet.  The  pipe  then 
passes  through  Fourth  and  Atlantic  streets  to  Telegraph  Hill,  where  it 
enters  and  supplies  the  Reservoir.  Branch  distributing  pipes  are  connected 
with  it  as  it  passes  along  its  route. 

At  the  junction  of  Union  and  Merrimac  streets,  in  the  City  proper,  a  pipe 
of  twenty  inches  diameter  is  connected  with  the  24-inch  Main,  which  is  the 
continuation  of  the  36-inch  main,  and  passes  through  Union  and  Beverly 
streets,  on  the  lower  side  of  Warren  Bridge,  to  Charlestown,  making  at  the 


260  [1849. 

draw  of  this  l)i'i(]g'c  a  syphon  with  a  dip  of  thirty-six  feet,  and  distance  between 
arms,  of  thirty-nine  feet. 

This  pipe  passes  through  Charlestowu  by  Clielsea  Street,  and  on  the  upper 
side  of  Chelsea  bridge  to  Chelsea.  At  the  southerly  draw  of  this  In-idge,  the 
one  nearest  Charlestown,  the  dip  of  the  syphon  of  the  30-inch  pipe  is  twenty- 
nine  feet,  and  the  distance  between  arms  is  thirty-nine  feet.  At  the  northerly 
draw,  the  one  nearest  Chelsea,  the  dip  is  forty-two  feet,  five  inches,  and  the 
distance  between  arms  fifty  feet. 

It  passes  thence  by  the  road  near  the  shore  to  what  wag  formerly  Ober's 
wharf,  now  belonging  to  the  City,  and  thence  it  passes  across  Chelsea  Creek 
to  East  Boston.  It  is  laid  to  the  channel,  from  both  sides  of  the  creek,  in  a 
box  filled  with  marsh  mud  or  clay,  and  carried  across  the  channel  in  a  flexible 
jointed  iron  pipe  of  nearly  double  the  ordinary  thickness,  with  swivel  joints. 
The  flexible  portion  of  the  pipe  is  about  four  hundred  and  sixty-one  feet  long, 
laid  in  a  trench  dredged  out  about  six  feet  deep,  and  covered  with  clay  and 
gravel,  to  protect  it  from  anchors. 

This  20-inch  pipe  crosses  Chelsea  Creek,  where  it  is  1,600  feet  wide  and 
about  twenty-five  feet  deep  in  the  channel  at  low  water,  and  where  vessels 
of  large  size  pass.  Mr.  Wm.  S.  Whitwell,  the  engineer,  adopted  for  this 
crossing  the  novel,  ingenious  and  peculiar  flange  joint,  flexible  only  in  a  perpen- 
dicular plane,  but  so  secure  as  not  to  need  a  wooden  frame  to  accompany 
the  pipe.  The  adaptation  of  this  joint  to  the  purpose  and  its  strength  are 
quite  admirable. 

The  distance  between  the  joints  is  thirty-one  feet,  four  inches ;  and  each 
section  consists  of  three  pieces  of  20-inch  pipe,  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and 
with  flanges  two  inches  thick,  securely  bolted  together.  These  three  pieces  of 
pipe  weigh  together  3,300  lbs.,  and  each  joint  weighs  3,800  lbs.  j  the  size  of 
the  pipe  being  considerably  enlarged  at  the  joint. 

The  opposite  sections  of  the  joint  meet  on  a  perpendicular  plane  parallel 
with  the  portions  of  pipe  on  each  side  of  the  joint,  and  move  upon  a  leather 
packing,  which  is  placed  in  a  groove  between  the  two  flanges. 

One  of  the  flanges  is  so  much  wider  than  the  other  as  to  have  a  cap  ring 
bolted  to  it,  Avliich  encloses  and  holds  the  other,  and  thus  constitutes  the  joint. 
The  strength  of  this  arrangement  is  obvious,  and  its  tightness  has  been  tested 
by  trial  under  a  pressure  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  lbs.  to  the  inch. 

The  jointed  pipe  for  half  the  width  of  the  channel  was  prepared  on  a 
staging,  and  sunk,  after  having  been  covered  with  a  varnish  to  preserve  it 
from  the  action  of  the  brine. 

It  was  sunk  by  being  supported  from  a  frame  work  and  tackles  above,  while 


1868.]  261 

the  floor  beneath  it  was  removed,  and  it  was  then  lowered  down  in  the  centre, 
the  ends  being  retained  above  water  for  the  purpose  of  connecting  with  the 
shore  and  the  section  which  still  remained  to  be  sunk. 

The  other  section  was  prepared  and  sunk  in  like  manner,  and  thus  was  the 
connection  established. 

The  total  length  of  Main  and  Distributing  Pipe  laid  up  to  January  1868, 
was  746,903  feet,  equal  to  141  miles,  2,423  feet. 

Service-Pipes. 

The  Service-Pipes  are  connected  with  the  Distributing  Pipes,  and  carried 
through  the  outer  walls  of  the  buildings,  at  the  expense  of  the  City,  provided 
the  distance  from  the  line  of  the  street  is  not  more  than  three  feet. 

They  are  almost  all  of  lead,  and  generally  five-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diam- 
eter ',  a  few  originally  were  of  iron,  an  inch  and  a  half  and  two  inches  diam- 
eter ;  but  objections  to  pipes  of  that  metal  were  so  serious,  arising  from  their 
filling  up  with  accretions,  discoloring  the  water  with  rust,  and  being  easily 
fractured,  their  use  has  been  discontinued :  a  few  also  are  of  block  tin,  where 
the  owners  of  estates  requested  that  it  might  be  used,  and  were  willing  to  pay 
the  extra  expense. 

Some  objection  being  made  to  the  employment  of  lead  for  this  purpose,  the 
subject  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  Consulting  Physicians,  and 
investigations  were  made  with  great  care  by  Professor  Horsford,  the  particu- 
lars of  which  are  given  in  Part  III.,  Chapter  XYII. 

The  total  number  of  Service-pipes  laid  to  May  1,  1867,  was  26,201. 

Public  Fountains. 

At  the  present  time,  January  1868,  there  are  twenty-one  Public  Fountains 
supplied  with  the  Cochituate  water,  which  are  situated  as  follows : 

One  in  the  easterly  end  of  the  Pond  on  the  Common. 
One  in  the  Pond  in  the  Public  Garden,  which  is  supplied  by  the  waste  water 
from  that  on  the  Common. 

Two  are  in  the  State  House  Yard. 
One  in  Franklin    Square. 

Blackstone      " 

Chester  " 

Lowell  " 

Worcester       " 

Concord  " 

Haymarket     " 


262  [1868. 

Two  in  Union  Pai-k. 
Six  in  the  Pul)lic  Garden. 
One  in  Maverick  Square,  East  Boston. 
"      Central         "  "         " 

There  are  also  on  the  Common  six  "  Drinking  Fonts." 

All  the  fixtures  connected  with  the  several  Fountains  belong  to  the  City, 
excepting  those  of  the  Fountains  in  front  of  the  State  House. 

The  Fountain  on  the  Common  is  fitted  with  thirteen  different  jets,  as 
follows : 


Cross, 

which  ( 

lischa] 

rges  147,277  | 

gallons 

per  ] 

tiou 

Solid,  6  in., 

u 

li 

173,267 

u 

il 

il 

u       4   a 

u 

u 

94,509 

il 

11 

il 

u        3    u 

u 

u 

63,917 

11 

11 

11 

u       2    " 

ti 

u 

28,520 

11 

il 

il 

Lily, 

u 

li 

162,765 

11 

li 

il 

Hollow,  10  in., 

iC 

u 

127,890 

a 

a 

u 

Wineglass, 

u 

li 

144,387 

ii 

a 

li 

Straight  Hollow, 

a 

11 

48,901 

11 

a 

il 

Self  Acting, 

u 

11 

124,311 

11 

11 

u 

Large  Vase, 

a 

11 

46,200 

11 

11 

11 

Small      " 

u 

a 

2,200 

11 

li 

ii 

The  solid  and  hollow  cylinder,  straight  jets  of  water,  rise  to  the  height  of 
from  seventy-five  to  ninety-eight  feet. 

The  fancy  jets  rise  to  the  height  of  from  thirty  to  eighty  feet. 

As  will  be  seen,  the  greatest  consumption  of  water  is  from  the  solid  6- 
inch  jet,  which  takes  173,267  gallons  per  hourj  and  the  least  consumption 
of  water  is  that  from  the  "  small  vase,"  which  discharges  2,200  gallons  per 
hour. 

The  fixtures  of  the  Fountains  at  the  State  House  and  in  Franklin  and  Black- 
stone  squares  are  of  cast-iron,  in  shape  of  an  ornamental  vase,  supported  on 
fluted  columns.  Those  at  the  State  House  are  about  twelve  feet  high  above 
the  receiving  basins,  and  those  in  the  squares  seven  feet,  nine  inches.  The 
water  rises  in  these  vases  from  three  to  seven  feet.  The  fountain  on  the 
westerly  side  of  the  State  House  discharges  9,184  gallons  per  hour;  that  on 
the  easterly  side,  7,932  gallons;  the  one  in  Franklin  Square,  1,814  gallons; 
and  the  one  in  Blackstone  Square,  1,959  gallons. 

The  Chester  Square  Fountain  is  of  iron,  about  twelve  feet  high,  and  con- 


1868.]  263 

sists  of  three  basins  of  five  feet,  two  inches ;  three  feet,  ten  inches ;  two  feet,  six 
inches  diameter,  respectively.  It  is  surmounted  with  a  pitcher,  and  has  a 
sprinkling  jet.  This  fountain  discharges  eight  hundred  and  eighty  gallons  per 
hour. 

The  one  in  Lowell  Square  consists  only  of  a  jet  nearly  level  with  the  basin, 
which  discharges  nine  hundred  and  twenty-eight  gallons  per  hour. 

The  Worcester  Square  Fountain  is  of  iron,  about  eight  feet,  four  inches  high, 
and  consists  of  two  basins,  four  feet,  six  inches,  and  two  feet,  ten  inches  diam- 
eter, respectively;  surrounded  by  figures;  and  discharges  1,234  gallons  per 
hour. 

The  Haymarket  Square  Fountain  consists  of  a  stone  pedestal  about  seven 
feet  high,  and  two  feet,  six  inches  square,  with  jets  on  each  side  of  the  base, 
and  is  used  as  a  drinking  font.  A  street  lamp  post  has  been  erected  on  the 
top  of  the  pedestal. 

The  Union  Park  fountains  are  of  iron,  about  seven  feet,  ten  inches  high,  and 
consist  respectively  of  a  basin  on  a  pedestal.  The  fountain  at  the  easterly 
end  discharges,  one  hundred  and  forty-three  gallons,  and  the  westerly,  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  gallons  per  hour. 

Four  of  those  in  the  Public  Garden  are  only  jets,  and  the  fifth  is  of  marble, 
representing  the  figure  of  Yenus,  with  jets  so  arranged  as  to  envelop  it  in 
spray.  This  statue  was  presented  to  the  City  by  the  late  John  D.Bates, 
Esq. 

The  discharge  of  the  several  fountains  per  hour  is  as  follows :  Small  basin, 
five  hundred  and  eighty-seven  gallons ;  East  basin,  near  Arlington  Street,  four 
hundred  and  sixty-two  gallons ;  East  basin,  near  Charles  Street,  five  hundred 
and  forty-four  gallons ;  West  basin,  near  Charles  Street,  one  thousand  one 
hundred  and  nineteen  gallons ;  Yenus  jets,  two  thousand  three  hundred  and 
seventy-one  gallons. 

Another  fountain  has  also  been  erected  here  by  private  munificence,  for  the 
following  description  of  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  Messrs. 
Ware  and  Yan  Brunt,  architects  of  this  City,  after  whose  designs  and  under 
whose  superintendence  it  was  built : 

The  fountain  on  the  Public  Garden,  in  the  axis  of  Marlborough  Street, 
known  as  "  the  Ether  Monument,"  is  a  gift  to  the  City  of  Boston  from  the  late 
Thomas  Lee,  Esq.,  and  is  erected  as  an  expression  of  gratitude  for  the  relief 
of  human  suffering  by  the  discovery  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  ether,  as 
well  as  to  commemorate  the  fact  that  it  was  first  publicly  used  in  this  City. 
The  form  of  the  monument  is  suggested  by  mediaeval  types,  modified  by  the 
nature  of  the  white  Concord  s-ranite  used  in  its  construction.     It  is  about 


264  [1868. 

thirty  feet  in  height,  and  arises  from  a  square  basin.  Its  base  is  cubical, 
having  on  each  vertical  face  a  niche  containing  a  spouting  lion's  head  with 
sculptured  water  lilies  and  other  aquatic  plants.  Upon  this  base  or  plinth, 
rests  a  surbase,  adorned  with  mouldings,  from  which  arises  a  die,  bearing 
upon  each  of  its  four  sides  an  inscription,  surmounted  by  a  bas-relief  in 
marble.  These  are  sunk  in  the  tympana  of  four  pointed  and  cuspidated 
arches,  supported  each  by  two  stunted  shafts  of  red  Gloucester  granite,  the 
capitals  of  which  are  enriched  by  poppies  and  oak  leaves,  this  decoration 
being  carried  around  the  monument  on  the  same  level  in  a  band  or  string 
course. 

These  arches  form  a  canopy,  square  in  plan,  from  which  the  structure 
diminishes  by  a  series  of  mouldings  to  the  base  of  a  grouped  quadripartite 
shaft  of  polished  red  granite.  Its  capital,  which  is  decorated  with  oak  leaves, 
bears  on  its  abacus  a  group  setting  forth  the  story  of  "  the  good  Samaritan," 
the  tj^pe  of  the  relief  of  suffering. 

The  inscriptions  and  bas-reliefs  on  the  four  sides  are  successively  as  follows : 

I. 

To  commemorate 

the  discovery 

that  the  inhaling  of  ether 

causes  insensibility  to  pain. 

First  proved  to  the  world 

at  the  Mass.  General  Hospital 

in  Boston 
October  A.  D.  MDGCCXLVI. 

The  bas-relief  accompanying  this  represents  a  surgical  operation  in  a  civic 
hospital,  the  patient  being  under  the  influence  of  ether. 

II. 

Neither  shall  there  be 

any  more  pain.  Rev. 

With  an  allegorical  bas-relief  of  the  angel  of  mercy  descending  to  relieve 
suffering  humanity. 

In  gratitude 

for  the   relief 

of  human  suffering 

by  the  inhaling  of  ether, 

a  citizen  of  Boston 

has  erected 

this  monument. 

A.  D.  MDCCCLXVII. 


1868.]  265 

"With  a  bas-relief  of  a  field  hospital,  with  a  wounded  soldier  in  the  hands 
of  the  surgeons. 

IV. 

This  also  cometh  forth 

From  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 

•which  is  wonderful 

in  counsel 

and  excellent 

in  working.  Isaiah. 

The  bas-relief  accompanying  this  inscription  is  an  allegory  of  the  triumph 
of  science. 

The  model  for  the  crowning  group  is  from  the  studio  of  Mr.  J.  Q.  A.  Ward, 
sculptor,  of  New  York.  It  is  executed  in  granite  by  Mr.  Garrett  Barry,  of 
Quincy.  The  four  marble  bas-reliefs  are  also  the  work  of  Mr.  Ward. 
Mr.  Thomas  Hollis,  of  Milton,  was  the  contractor  for  the  granite  work,  which 
was  executed  at  the  yard  of  Mr.  D.  C.  Hutchinson,  of  this  city.  The 
masonry  is  by  Mr.  Martin  L.  Whitcher. 

The  Maverick  Square  Fountain  is  of  iron,  about  five  feet  high,  and  consists 
of  three  basins,  three  feet,  two  inches ;  two  feet,  two  inches ;  one  foot,  two  inches 
diameter,  respectively;  surmounted  by  a  sprinkling  jet,  and  discharges  one 
hundred  and  seventy-eight  gallons  per  hour. 

The  Central  Square  Fountain  is  a  simple  jet  nearly  level  with  the  stone 
basin,  and  discharges  seven  hundred  and  ninety-six  gallons  per  hour. 
The  drinking  fonts  are  situated  as  follows : 
One  near  the  corner  of  Park  and  Tremont  streets, 
"  "       "     Beacon         " 

Great  Elm  on  the  Common. 
West  Street  gate  of  the  Common, 
corner  of  Boylston  and  Charles  streets. 
"  Charles  and  Beacon  " 

The  discharge  from  these  fonts  averages  thirty  gallons  per  hour  each. 

34 


266  [1808. 

Cost  op  the  Works  to  May  1st,  1867. 

Western  Division. 

Amomit  paid  William  H.  Knight,  for  the  Lake     .         .         .  $100,000  00 
"           "           "                   "              "       Factories,  $50,000, 
less  amoimt  received  on  account  of  the  sale  of  land  and 

machinery,  and  insurance  at  the  time  of  the  fire          .         .  20,818  22 

Expense  of  raising  the  Lake  two  feet,  including  damages  .         .  2  8,002  1 8 

Cost  of  Roads,  Bridges,  and  Swamps 38,332  48 

Gate  House  at  the  Lake 29,907  12 

Dam  at  the  outlet  of  the  Lake 8,458  20 

Dudley  Pond,  Lower  Dam,  and  making  connections  with  the 

Lake 18,982  23 

New  Dam,  and  improvements  at  the  Lake         ....  12,647  97 


Total  cost  of  the  Lake  Department,  not  including  land       .  $257,148  40 

Land  and  land  damages,  less  credit,  for  land 

sold $220,192  35 

Constructing  the  Brick  Conduit      .         .         .     817,71773 

Brookline  Reserv'r,  Land   .     .     $58,418  93"i 

"  "      Construction,  108,301  92  "j^     200,077  21 

«  «      Gate  House,      33,356  36  J 

Compensating  Reservoirs,  less  amount  received 

when  sold 66,859   80 

Engineering  Expenses  on  the  Western  Divi- 
sion       68,370  56 

Miscellaneous  Expenses  on  the  Western  Divi- 
sion       23,305  00 

Payments  on  account  of  the  Chestnut  Hill  Res- 
ervoir   328,282  02        1,724,804  67 


Total  cost  of  Western  Division,  $1,981,953  07 


1868.] 


267 


Main  and  Service-Pipes 

Beacon  Hill  Res'r,  Land  .     .     1145,107  10) 

"         "        "     Construction,  3  6  8,42  6  11^ 

South  Boston    "    Land  .     .         55,103  23 ) 

"         "  "    Construction,    35,804  87^ 

East    "  "    Land.     .         23,862  50 J 

"       "  "    Conatruction,   42,240  59^ 

Engineering  Expenses  on  the  Eastern  Divi 

sion 

Machine  Shop  and  Pipe  Yards 
Hydrants  and  Stopcocks 
Proving  Pipes     .... 

Meters 

Miscellaneous  Expenses  on  the  Eastern  Divi 

sion    ....... 

Total  cost  of  Eastern  Division, 
Total  cost  of  Western  Division    . 

"  "     Eastern  .... 

Total,  Eastern  and  Western, 
Expense  of  carrying  on  the  Works 
Interest  paid,  after  deducting  total  income  re- 
ceived ....... 

Excess  of  Expenses  and  Interest  over 
Income, 

Total  cost,  on  May  1st,  1867,  over  and 
above  the  Income, 


Eastern  Division. 

.  $2,661,325  65 

513,533  21 


90,908  10 

66,103  09 

30,303  02 

34,600  20 

51,747  65 

35,983  96 

90,902  07 

28,437  20 


51,981,953  07 
3,603,844  15 


,158,315  18 
370,596  74 


5,603,844  15 


5,585,797  22 


[,528,911  92 


^  14,709  14 


The  foregoing  Details  and  Statistics  of  our  Publication  not  only  sketch  the 
Annals  and  Progress,  but  show  the  objects  and  course  of  the  current  Manage- 
ment of  the  great  Popular  convenience  and  necessity,  the  Public  Water  Works 
of  the  City  of  Boston. 

May  their  Past  success  attend  their  Future. 


FINIS. 


APPENDIX. 


CONTAINING    STATISTICAL    INFORMATION    AND    TABLES    WITH 
REGAKD    TO    THE    WATER    WORKS. 


APPENDIX, 


CrviL  Organization  of   the  Water  Works  from  their    Commencement  to 

January  1st,  1868. 

Water  Commissioners. 

From  May  4th,  1846,  to  January  4th,  1850  : 
Nathan  Hale, 
^  James  F.  Baldwin, 

Thomas  B.  Curtis. 

Engineers  for  the  Construction : 

John  B.  Jervis,  of  New  York,  Consulting  Engineer, 
From  May  1846  to  Novembe'r  1848. 

E.  S.  Chesbrough,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Western  Division, 
From  May  1846,  to  January  4th,  1850. 

William  S.  Whitwell,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Eastern  Division, 
From  May  1846,  to  January  4,  1850. 

City  Engineers  having  charge  of  the   Works. 

E.  S.  Chesbrough,  Engineer, 
From  January  4,  1850,  to  October  1,  1855. 

H.  S.  McLean,  Assistant  Engineer, 
From  January  4th,  1850,  to  October  1st,  1855. 

George  H.  Bailey,  Assistant  Engineer, 
From  January  4th,  1850,  to  October  1st,  1855. 

James  Slade,  Engineer, 
From  October  1st,  1855,  to  April  1st,  1863. 

N.  Henry  Crafts,  Assistant  Engineer, 
From  October  1st,  1855,  to  April  1st,  1863. 

N.  Henry  Crafts,  City  Engineer, 
From  April  1st,  1863,  to  the  present  time. 

T.  W.  Davis,  Assistant  Engineer, 
From  April  1st,  1863,  to  the  present  time. 

Henry  M.  Wightman,  Resident  Engineer  at  C.  H.  Reservoir, 
February  14th,  1866,  to  the  present  time. 


272  [1866. 

After  Jaiinaiy  4th,  1850,  Messrs.  E.  S.  Chesbrough,  W.  S.  Whitwell,  and  J. 
Avery  Richnrds,  were  elected  a  Water  Board,  subject  to  the  direction  of  a 
Joint  Standing  Cosimittee  of  the  City  Council,  by  an  Ordinance  passed  Decem- 
ber 31st,  1849,  which  was  limited  to  continue  in  force  one  year ;  and  in  1851  the 
CocHiTUATE  Water  Board  was  established. 

COCHITUATE  WATER  BOARD. 

Presidents  op  the  Board. 

Thomas  Wetmore,  1851  to  1856 Five  years. 

John  H.  Wilkins,  1856  to  1860 Four    " 

Ebenezer  Johnson,  1860  to  1865 Five     " 

Otis  Norcross,  1865  to  1866 One  year  and  nine  months. 

John  H.  Thorndike,  1867  to  1868 "         "       three 

Members   op   the   Board. 

Thomas  Wetmore,  1851,  52,  53,  54,  55 Five  years. 

John  H.  Wilkins,  1851,  52,  53,*  56,  57,  58,  59 Eight  " 

Henry  B.  Rogers,  1851,  52,  53,  54,*  55 : Five  " 

Jonathan  Preston,  1851,  52,  53,  56 Four  " 

James  W.  Sever,  1851 One  " 

Samuel  A.  Eliot,  1851 "  " 

John  T.  Heard,  1851 "  " 

Adam  W.  Thaxter,  jr.,  1852,  53,  54,  55     Four  " 

Sampson  Reed,  1852,  53 Two  " 

Ezra  Lincoln,  1852 One  " 

Thomas  Sprague,  1853,  54,  55 Three  " 

Samuel  Hatch,  1854,  55,  56,  57,  58,  61 Six  " 

Charles  Stoddard,*  1854,  55,  56,  57 Four  " 

William  Washburn,  1854,  55 Two  " 

Tisdale  Drake,  1856,  57,  58,  59 Four  " 

Thomas  P.  Rich,  1856,  57,  58 Three  " 

John  T.  Dingley,  1856,  59 Two  " 

Joseph  Smith,  1856 , Two  mos. 

Ebenezer  Johnson,  1857,  58,  59,  60,  61,  62,  63,  64 Eight  y'rs. 

Samuel  Hall,  1857,  58,  59,  60,  61 Five  " 

Benjamin  James,  1858 One  " 

George  P.  French,  1859,  60,  61,  62,  63 Five  " 

Ebenezer  Atkins,  1859 One  " 

*Mr.  John  H.  Wilkins  resigned  November  15th,  1854,  and  Charles  Stoddard  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Mr.  Henry  B.  Rogers  resigned  October  22d,  1865.  Mr.  WiUiins  was  re-elected  February  1856,  and  chosen  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board,  which  office  he  held  until  his  resignation  on  Juno  5th,  1860,  when  Mr.  Ebenezer  Johnson  was 
elected  President,  and  on  July  2d,  Mr.  L.  Miles  Standish  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resig- 
nation of  Mr.  WilUins . 


1867.]  ^        273 

George  Dennie,  1860,  61,  62,  63,  64,  65 Sis  years. 

Clement  Willis,  1860 One 

G.  E.  Pierce,  1860 , " 

Jabez  Frederick,  1861,  62,  63 Three 

George  Hinman,  1862,  63 Two 

John  F.  Pray,  1862 One 

J.  C.  J.  Brown,  1862 " 

Jonas  Fitch,  1864,  65,  66 Three 

Otis  Norcross,  1865,  66 Two 

L.  Miles  Stanclish,  1860,  61,  63,  64,  65,  66,  67. 
Nathaniel  J.  Bracllee,  1863,  64,  65,  66,  67-68. 
Alexander  Wadsworth,  1864,  65,  66,  67-68. 
John  H.  Thorndike,  1864,  65,  66,  67. 
Charles  R.  McLean,  1867. 
Benjamin  F.  Stevens,  1866,  67. 
WilUam  S.  HiUs,  1867. 
35 


274 


STATISTICAL   TABLES, 


Table  No,  1. 


[1867. 


Annual  Amount  of  Rain-Fall,  in   Inches,  at   Lake    Cochituate,   Boston   and 
vicinity,  1849  to  1867,  inclusive. 


TEAK. 


1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1854 

1855 

1856 

1857 

1858. 

1859. 

1860. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866 

1867. 


PLACES  AND  OBSERVERS. 


O  Oh 


*  45.93 

*  55.86 
48.15 
34.96 
40.80 
63.10 
48.66 
49.02 
55.44 
46.44 
49.69 
69.30 
42.60 
49.46 
62.32 
56.25 


eq 


40.30 
53.98 
44.31 
47.94 
48.86 
45.71 
44.19 
52.16 
56.87 
52.67 
56.70 
51.46 
50.07 
61.06 
67.72 
49.30 
47.83 
50.70 
55.64 


P? 


■^   ra 


O 


40.97 
64.07 
41.97 
40.51 
53.83 
45.17 
47.59 
53.79 
57.92 
45.46 


46.95 
50.14 
57.21 
56.42 


43.59 


41.71 


.<d  So 


^ 


40.74 
62.13 
41.00 
42.24 
45.04 
41.29 
40.63 
42.33 
44.04 
37.40 
48.49 


53.66 
36.56 
35.84 
43.46 
41.40 


1-1 


51.09 
45.68 
41.00 
42.78 
43.92 
42.08 
44.89 
42.49 
49.38 
37.73 
47.51 
46.91 
43.32 
44.26 
52.37 
38.11 
37.38 
38.18 
45.54 


^'O 


48.41 
45.97 
52.02 
35.80 
48.41 
46.67 
42.95 
44.61 
57.81 
40.64 
38.82 
41.36 
45.87 


Ph 


34.69 
51.48 
43.30 
38.58 
53.27 
46.25 
39.05 
40.97 
44.74 
44.51 
45.29 
38.24 
44.25 
50.09 
54.17 
36.83 
44.69 
46.04 
47.04 


*  By  J.  Vannevar. 


1867.] 


275 


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a 

->5 

> 

^     a 

3 

•-5 

> 

1       b 

.     1 
O 

a 

1 

a 

o 
«) 

i» 

1867.]  279 

Table  No.  5. 

The  following  Statement  shows  the  amount  of  water  that  ran  over  the  Outlet 
Dam  during  the  year  1867 : 

Month.  No.  of  Days.  No.  of  Wine  Gallons. 

February 20 956,216,492 

March         .....  26 562,377,743 

April.         ._....  25  •         ...         .  678,461,904 

May    ..'....  21 284,985,224 


Total  92  2,482,041,363 


Table  No.  6. 

DISTANCES  BETWEEN  DIFFERENT  POINTS   OF  THE  WATER 

WORKS. 

From  the  Gate  House  at  the  Lake,  to  the  Waste  Weir  at  Dedman's 

Brook.  —  Sec.  3 15,870  feet, 

Thence,  to  the  Waste  Weir,  in  Sec.  6 19,011 

Thence,  to  the  Pipe  Chamber,  West  side  of  Charles  River  .         .  6,167 

Thence,  across  Charles  River,  to  East  Pipe  Chamber  .         .         .  1,095 

Thence,  to  the  Waste  Weir,  in  Sec.  10 15,025 

Thence,  through  Newton  Tunnel,  2,410  feet,  to  the  Ventilator     .  7,308 

Thence,  to  the  Waste  Weir,  in  Sec.  13 8,650 

Thence,  through  Brookline  Tunnel,  1,150  feet,  to  Brookline  Reservoir  4,103 

Thence,  to  the  Gate  House,  at  the  East  end  of  the  Reservoir       .  2,000 

Thence,  to  Dover  Street      .... 

Thence,  to  the  Fountain  on  the  Common 

Thence,  to  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir 

Thence,  to  East  Boston  Reservoir 

From  Dover  Street,  to  South  Boston  Reservoir 


19,625 
4,073 
1,200 

20,129 
8,570 


From  the  Lake,  to  East  end  of  Brookline  Reservoir  .  .  .  15.005  miles. 
From  Brookline  Reservoir,  to  Fountain  on  the  Common  .  .  4.488  " 
From  Brookline  Reservoir,  to  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir  .  .  .  5.094  " 
From  Brookline  Reservoir,  to  East  Boston  Reservoir  .  .  .  8.528  " 
From  Brookline  Reservoir,  to  South  Boston  Reservoir  .  .  5.350  " 
From  the  Gate  House  at  the  Lake,  to  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reser- 
voir, Lower  Gate  House 13.596  " 

From  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir  Gate  House,  to  the  Brookline 

Gate  House,  in  an  air  line 1.182  " 


280 


[1867. 


Table  No.  7. 
HEIGHTS   OF  BIPORTANT  POINTS  ABOVE  TIDE   MAESH   LEVEL. 


Floor  of  Knight's  Flume     .         .         .         .         . 

Low  Water  Mark,  Lake  Cochituate      .... 

High     «         "  "  "  .... 

Bottom  of  interior  of  Aqueduct,  at  Lake  Cochituate   . 
"  "  "  West  Pipe  Chamber 

ti  «  "  East      "  " 

"  "  "  Brookline  Reservoir 

"      Brookline  Reservoir 

Upper  floor  of  Brookline  Gate  House  . 

Low  Water  Mark,  Brookline  Reservoir 

Top  of  Dam  of  "  " 

Bottom  of  Beacon  Hill  Reservoir 

Top  "          "  "  Coping  (outside) 

Bottom  "          "  "  Waste  Weir     . 

"      South  Boston  "  ... 

Top  "  "  "  Dam 

Bottom  of  East  Boston       "        .         .         .         . 

Top  "         "  "  Dam 

State  House  Floor 

Coping  of  Charlestown  Dry  Dock 

Gate  House  Floor,  at  Lake  .... 

Bottom  of  interior  of  Aqueduct,  at  the  Intermediate  Gate  House 
Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir  ...... 

Top  of  Dam,  at  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir     . 

High  Water  Mark,     "         «  «  ... 

Lower  Floor  of  Intermediate  Gate  House,  C.  H.  R.     . 

Upper      "  "  "  "  " 

Lower      "  Effluent  "  «  " 

Upper      "  "  "  "  " 

Interior  Bottom  of  Pipe,  at  Effluent  Gate  House,  C.  H.  R. 


124.36  feet 
124.86 
134.36 
121.00 
118.97 
118.52 
116.77 
100.60 
126.76 
120.60 
126.60 
108.03 
124.03 
121.53 
105.35 
125.86 
80.60 
110.60 
106.94 
5.09 
138.10 

117.17 
128.00 
125.00 
110.00 
128.42 
99.00 
128.42 
100.00 


1867.J 


281 


Table  No.  8. 
LEVELS  OF  DOOR-SILLS. 

The  following  levels  of  Door-sills,  in  different  sections  of  the  City,  are  given 
below,  that  those  who  may  have  occasion  to  know  can  ascertain,  by  comparison, 
the  levels  to  which  the  Cochituate  water  will  rise  in  the  pipes  on  their  premises. 

The  levels  are  given  in  feet  and  hundredths  of  a  foot,  above  tide  marsh  level, 
the  standard  bench  or  level  adopted  on  the  line  of  the  works,  and  which  is  5^f^ 
feet  below  the  coping  of  the  dry  dock,  in  the  Charlestown  Navy  Yard. 

Elevation  of  Door-Sills  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 


Boston  Prober. 

street. 

No. 

Elevation. 

Remarks. 

Causeway  Street 

7.18 

Fitchburg  Depot. 

((             (( 

8.27 

Eastern  Depot. 

((             (( 

10.37 

Lowell  Depot. 

Lowell  Street 

9.96 

Barton  House,  corner  Minot  Street. 

Merrimac  Street 

7.71 

Merrimac  House,  corner  Friend  Street. 

Haymarket  Square 

10.35 

Boston  and  Maine  Depot. 

Cross  Street     . 

8.36 

Massachusetts  House,  corner  Endicott  Street 

Salem  Street 

.       .    107 

16.07 

Near  Cooper. 

((          (( 

.     112 

13.59 

Near  Prince  Street. 

C                  (( 

.     135 

15.64 

H                C                       (( 

Hull  Street     . 

4 

30.69 

Near  Salem  Street. 

((        (( 

.       40 

47.32 

<(        (( 

.       52 

51.35 

Corner  Snowhill  Street. 

Sheafe  Street 

.       42 

32.81 

(1                         U                       (( 

Prince  Street 

.     120 

11.31 

Near            "            " 

Hanover  Street 

.     382 

17.90 

Webster  House. 

((          (( 

.     359 

19.57 

Pavilion. 

U                (( 

.     345 

20.73 

Trimountain  House. 

((              u 

.     181 

12.60 

Blackstone  House. 

((           (( 

15.76 

American  House. 

North  Square  . 

1 

24.01 

Neptune  House. 

Blackstone  Street 

8.04 

New  England  House,  corner  Clinton  Street. 

Faneuil  Hall  Squan 

3 

8.13 

Market  Floor. 

North  Market  Stree 

t 

9.00 

Quincy  Market. 

Brattle  Street 

14.29 

City  Hotel. 

"          " 

17.40 

Quincy  Hou^e,  corner  Brattle  Square. 

Elm  Street       . 

10.20 

Wilde's  Hotel. 

Howard  Street 

37.84 

Howard  Athenseum. 

Bowdoin  Squa 

re 

38.36 

Revere  House. 

282 


1867.J 


street. 

Ko. 

Elevation. 

Bowdoin  Street 

.        48 

87.91 

u 

l( 

. 

.       50 

95.01 

« 

(( 

. 

52 

94.96 

(( 

(( 

. 

54 

94.79 

(( 

(t 

. 

56 

94.73 

Ashburton  Place 

3 

84.96 

(( 

(( 

4 

85.05 

(1 

it 

5 

85.03 

« 

(( 

6 

86.11 

u 

(( 

8 

86.03 

(( 

(( 

9 

85.08 

(( 

(( 

10 

88.53 

u 

(( 

12 

89.67 

(( 

(( 

14 

89.73 

a 

u 

16 

88.45 

(( 

« 

17 

88.11 

u 

a 

18 

87.87 

(( 

<( 

20 

87.86 

(( 

(( 

22 

87.89 

Somerset  Street 

13 

81.15 

(( 

(( 

19 

72.80 

(( 

u 

21 

69.72 

Pembei 

'ton  Sqiiare  . 

12 

63.25 

K 

u 

13 

63.26 

(( 

(( 

19 

63.24 

(( 

(( 

20 

71.74 

(( 

(( 

21 

69.75 

i( 

(( 

23 

63.43 

(( 

<c 

24 

63.42 

(( 

(( 

25 

63.43 

(( 

(( 

26 

63.47 

(( 

(( 

27 

64.87 

Beacon  Hill  Place   . 

3 

100.87 

Park  Street 

. 

5 

63.07 

(( 

u 

. 

9 

67.79 

u 

l( 

. 

78.99 

Mount  Vernon  Street 

2 

97.96 

u 

(( 

3 

87.75 

(( 

u 

7 

91.27 

t( 

u 

9 

93.00 

u 

(1 

10 

98.13 

u 

u 

15 

98.17 

(( 

u 

16 

102.36 

1( 

(( 

19 

100.03 

(( 

(1 

21 

100.09 

u 

u 

23 

99.25 

Remarks. 


Corner  Beacon  Street. 


1867.] 


283 


street. 

Fo. 

Elevation. 

Mount  Vernon  Stre( 

;t      .       25 

99.88 

(( 

u 

(( 

.       26 

99.70 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       29 

100.71 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       31 

97.55 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       32 

90.58 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       33 

100.16 

(( 

<( 

(( 

.       39 

99.44 

u 

(i 

(( 

.       45 

99.14 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       49 

103.37 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       51 

100.45 

(( 

C( 

(( 

.       53 

99.75 

(( 

(( 

« 

.       57 

100.43 

(( 

u 

(( 

.       58 

74.66 

(( 

(( 

(I 

.       59 

100.46 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       69 

96.42 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       71 

96.45 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       73 

94.97 

« 

C( 

(( 

.       75 

92.15 

(( 

(( 

t( 

77 

90.73 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       81 

89.18 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       83 

89.14 

(( 

C( 

» 

.       87 

79.09 

(( 

(( 

(( 

.       89 

77.67 

Beacon  Street 

4 

58.76 

(( 

(( 

7 

70.43 

(( 

(( 

9 

73.65 

(( 

(( 

.       11 

73.62 

c< 

(( 

.       13 

75.32 

(( 

(( 

.       21 

83.93 

u 

(( 

.       23 

83.45 

cc 

(( 

.       24 

79.71 

(( 

(( 

.       25 

85.27 

(( 

» 

.       27 

86.72 

(( 

(( 

.       29 

80.08 

(( 

(( 

.       31 

78.39 

(( 

u 

.       35 

69.64 

(C 

u 

.       36 

69.22 

Mount  Vernon 

Plac 

e        .         2 

100.04 

(( 

n 

(( 

8 

98.88 

(( 

li 

(( 

6 

96.71 

(( 

(( 

(C 

8 

94.45 

Hancock  Aven 

ue 

2 

94.98 

(( 

(( 

4 

89.89 

<( 

(( 

6 

84.19 

Hancock  Stree 

t 

.       57 

86.91 

(( 

(( 

.       63 

93.06 

Remarks. 


284 


[186' 


Street. 
Chestnut  Street 
Joy  Street 


Myrtle  Street 
Pinckney  Street 


Court  Square  . 
Cornhill  Court 
School  Street  . 

Tremont  Street 


Bromfield  Street 
Washington  Street 


Boylston  Street 

((  (( 

Beach  Street   . 

Eneelaud  Street 


No. 

5 

1 

3 

5 

6 

32 

2 

9 

11 

12 

42 

45 

46 

48 

58 

60 


510 

647 
657 
660 
699 


1,498 
1,525 
1,544 

1,622 

124 

142 


Elevation. 

74.41 

83.59 

89.62 

93.63 

97.00 

82.36 

88.80 

90.49 

90.50 

92.31 

97.78 

95.32 

99.08 

94.46 

94.36 

89.59 

34.35 

31.64 

45.14 

48.00 

52.60 

52.65 

30.79 

7.77 

11.25 

10.00 

9.01 

11.49 

14.95 

7.07 

42.38 

28.32 

20.90 

7.50 

6.03 

7.52 

9.50 

12.84 

22.54 

13.32 

13.21 

9.71 

6.89 

12.01 

7.91 


Remarks. 


Hancock  House. 

Young's  Hotel,  dining-room  floor. 

City  Hall,  first  floor. 

Parker  House,  dining-room  floor. 

Tremont  House,  piazza  platform. 

Horticultural  Hall,  lower  door. 

Evans  House. 

Clarendon  House. 

Smith's  Organ  Factory. 


Bromfield  House. 
Marlboro'  Hotel. 
Adams  House. 


Everett  House,  corner  Camden  Street. 

Hotel  Pelham. 

Near  Berkeley  Street. 

U  ((  u 

Corner  Harrison  Avenue,  Boston  Hotel, 
Boston  and  Albany  Railroad  Depot. 
United  States  Hotel,  piazza  platform. 
Old  Colony  and  Newport  Railroad  Depot. 


1867.] 


285 


Street. 
Shawmut  Avenue 


Newton  Street. 


No.  Elevation. 
247  13.72 
244  13.39 
236  8.49 

8.86 


Remarks. 


St.  James  Hotel. 


Elevation  of  Door-Sills  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 
South  Boston. 


Broadway 

.        65 

25.93 

(( 

74 

24.92 

« 

81 

22.08 

a 

.     157 

14.29 

u 

.     176 

13.49 

u 

.     185 

13.19 

u 

219 

26.92 

u 

.     237 

38.69 

u 

282 

42.72 

ft 

.     306 

48.93 

u 

376 

82.96 

u 

.     382 

83.37 

u 

.     363 

90.97 

u 

.     412 

79.71 

u 

.     472 

37.00 

u 

. 

32.81 

Broadway  Horse 

Fourth  Street 

.     178 

13.05 

((               u 

195 

13.02 

<(          (( 

,     301 

15.63 

«          « 

683 

36.92 

Corner  K  Street. 

U                   (4 

.     748 

41.12 

((                   (( 

.     764 

40.98 

u             a 

,         , 

33.30 

Southwest  corner 

Elevation  op  Dooe-Sills  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 


East  Boston. 


White  Street  . 

Brooks  Street  . 
Trenton  Street 
Bennington  Street 
Chelsea  Street 


Saratoga  Street 


94 


76 
64 
46 


82.62 
74.40 
58.27 
51.95 
14.69 
6.74 
13.19 
12.18 
22.34 
13.86 
14.13 
12.57 


Opposite  Monmouth  Street,  D.  McKay's  house; 

Corner  Monmouth,  Stevens'  house. 

Corner  Eutaw  Street. 

Near  Brooks  Street. 

Corner  Brooks. 

Atlantic  Works. 

Engine  House,  near  Bennington  Street. 

Maverick  Oil  Works. 

Corner  Pope  Street,  New  England  Pipe  Works. 

Corner  Marion  Street. 


286 


[1867. 


street. 

No.    Elevation. 

Rem.irts. 

Meridian  Street 

7.56 

Northerly  corner  London  Street. 

((                u 

. 

.       93           7.68 

Northerly  corner  Havre  Street. 

((             {( 

10.78 

Near  Paris  Street,  Police  Station. 

u             u 

.       25          8.59 

((              (( 

13.79 

Maverick  House. 

Lewis  Street   . 

2        10.16 

Webster  Street 

117        60.99 

"          " 

124         57.94 

Elevation 

OF  Door-Sills  above  Tide  Marsh  Level. 

Roxb 

ury  District. 

Highland  Street 

120.99 

Southerly  cor.  Beach  Street,  S.  C.  Thwing's  house 

"          (( 

139.86 

Northerly  cor.  Fort  Avenue,  Benj.  Perkins'  house 

U                   (( 

125.79 

J.  H.  Eastburn's  house. 

u             n 

117.04 

Rev.  Dr.  Putnam's  house. 

u            u 

117.31 

Sam'l  C.  Cobb's  house. 

"           "              1 

116.43 

E.  Harrington's  house. 

"           " 

132.17 

W.  S.  Garrison's  house. 

((             a 

109.60 

G.  E.  Simmons'  house. 

((             (( 

106.62 

G.  &  H.  Dunbar's  house. 

u                (( 

95.17 

Mrs.  E.  Appleton's  house. 

Dudley  Street. 

66.18 

Norfolk  House. 

Linwood  Place 

125.45 

Thomas  Flint. 

Fort  Avenue    . 

146.94 

Dr.  Morrill. 

"        " 

148.81 

Hunnewell's  house. 

Shawmut  Avenue 

30.60 

Corner  Bartlett  Street,  Dr.  H.  Bartlett. 

Alpine  Street 

102.81 

Henry  Hale,  opposite  Akron  Street. 

"        " 

111.11 

J.  Mclnness,  corner  Akron  Street. 

Akron  Street  . 

112.36 

Folsom. 

Alpine  Street  . 

mi-  -    1-  - 

;  _i,i._ 

117.33 

Henry  S.  Hall. 

The  average  heights  of  water  in  the  several  Reservoirs,  above  tide  marsh  level, 
are  as  follows : 

Brooldine  Reservoir,  123  feet;  Beacon  Hill,  117  feet. 
South  Boston,  112     "      East  Boston,  93     " 

The  estimated  average  for  the  Roxbury  District,  118  feet. 
N.  B.  —  The  pressure  of  water  at  the  temperature  of  sixty-two  degrees  F.  is 
43  j*j  pounds  upon  a  superficial  inch,  for  every  one  hundred  feet  in  height. 

A  column  of  water  33y^Q^u  feet  high  is  equal  to  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere 
at  the  level  of  the  sea,  or  14:^jyo  pounds  per  square  inch. 

It  should  be  understood,  that  practically,  the  water  will  not  rise  in  the  Service 
pipes  so  high  as  it  rises  in  the  several  Reservoirs  as  above  stated,  the  "  head" 
being  affected  more  or  less  by  friction  and  the  varying  draughts  of  the  con- 
sumers.    See  tests  of  heights  of  rise,  page  167. 


1861-7.] 


287 
Table  No.  9. 


Average  monthly  Heights  of    Water   in    Reservoirs  at  BrooJcline,   Beacon   Hill, 
South  and  East   Boston,  1861-67  inclusive. 


BROOKLESTE. 

BEACON  HILL. 

Month. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

January 

122.81 

122.46 

123.64 

122.37 

123.31 

122.28 

122.00 

116.61 

117.48 

118.36 

117.72 

119.18 

119.20 

119.11 

Febru'ry 

122.68 

122.85 

123.23 

122.61 

122.82 

122.47 

123.12 

118.93 

119.46 

118.18 

117.54 

118.91 

119.65 

118.59 

March  . 

123.32 

123.52 

123.23 

123.62 

123.26 

123.19 

123.05 

119.05 

119.18 

118.03 

116.38 

123.58 

120,72 

119.45 

April  .  . 

124.01 

124.18 

123.85 

123.82 

123.38 

123.45 

123.00 

118.91 

117.91 

117.27 

117.21 

121.28 

120.70 

119.86 

May  .  .  . 

124.04 

124.00 

123.52 

123.62 

122.65 

123.04 

123.07 

119.06 

117.59 

116.33 

116.53 

■120.31 

119.53 

118.50 

June  .  . 

123.68 

123.25 

123.17 

122.66 

123.23 

123.29 

122.34 

117.32 

116.39 

115.40 

115.31 

120.56 

118.53 

118.34 

July .  . . 

122.68 

123.73 

122.76 

122.87 

123.33 

122.97 

122.98 

116.48 

116.46 

116.34 

115.32 

121.23 

119.51 

119.00 

August . 

123.71 

123.70 

123.11 

122.64 

123.39 

122.80 

122.23 

114.18 

116.22 

116.05 

115.19 

110.83 

119.17 

117.70 

Sept.  .  , 

123.76 

123.64 

123.36 

122.03 

123.29 

122.81 

122.52 

113.14 

116.22 

116.12 

115.91 

119.03 

119.39 

120.46 

October 

123.79 

123.85 

122.26 

123.19 

123.23 

123.03 

122.65 

115.91 

.   . 

115.87 

118.17 

118.43 

119.5b 

120.46 

Nov.    .  , 

123.80 

124.07 

123.63 

122.78 

123.33 

122.75 

122.89 

116.74 

117.20 

116.85 

118.55 

120.14 

119.78 

120.84 

Dec 

124.00 

123.46 

122.53 

122.29 

123.24 

122.64 

122.37 

117.45 

115.23 

118.30 

117.35 

120.50 

119.37 

120.02 

Average 

123.52 

123.56 

123.19 

122.87 

123.21 

122.89 

122.69  1 

116.98 

117.21 

116,92 

116.77 

120.00 

119.59 

119.38 

SOUTH  BOSTON. 

EAST  BOSTON. 

Month. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

Januai-y 

115.03 

113.66 

115.73 

110.63 

114.21 

114.38 

112.46 

95.37 

96.26 

95.64 

90.22 

96.12 

93.61 

91.89 

Febru'ry 

115.07 

114.08 

115.54 

110.94 

113.42 

114.44 

111.35 

93.05 

94.9-t 

93.86 

92.98 

97.00 

96.61 

92.06 

March   . 

115.12 

114.12 

115.36 

111.13 

113.64 

113.51 

111.74 

94.60 

95.75 

94.29 

93.50 

94.83 

94.22 

91.69 

April  .  . 

115.32 

114.93 

114.73 

112.07 

114.82 

114.99 

111.88 

98.07 

96.71 

95.65 

96.16 

96.52 

96.47 

90.91 

May  .  .  . 

113.83 

115.74 

112.71 

111.64 

115.44 

114  90 

111.63 

97.85 

96.99 

93.07 

97.68 

96.04 

95,85 

89.63 

June    . . 

112.58 

114.22 

111.39 

109.06 

114.91 

114.32 

111.19 

96.22 

95.99 

91.10 

94.22 

93,91 

93.71 

91.82 

July  .  .  . 

110.91 

114.23 

109.75    108.57 

114.36 

113.96 

111.53 

95.00 

96.13 

90.43 

92.34 

96.82 

95.35 

94.60 

August . 

112.92 

114.03 

109.80 

109.53 

113.80 

114.07 

111.90 

97.34 

93.96 

91.23 

92.84 

95.78 

93,85 

94.16 

Sept.  .  . 

112.96 

114.04 

109.64 

110.21 

113.69 

113.41 

111.70 

95.76 

95.57 

91.96 

95.00 

94.52 

* 

99.40 

October 

114.68 

114.24 

109.90 

112.49 

112.89 

112.74 

111.29 

95.56 

91.80 

95.02 

97.55 

93.38 

* 

96.S5 

Nov.   .  . 

114.14 

115.94 

11125 

112.49 

112.74 

112.03 

111.26 

96.40 

93.57 

93.36 

98.14 

92.23 

* 

93.47 

Dec 

113.79 

116.35 

109.90 

113.89 

113.78 

112.62 

111.08 

97.37 

95.77 

89.79 

97.27 

94.34 

92.29 

92.57 

Average    113.86 

114.63 

112.14    111.05 

113.97 

113.78 

1 
111.59  • 

1 

96.05 

95.29 

92.95 

94.83 

95.12 

94.66 

93.25 

Note.  The  above  average  heights  are  given  in  feet  and  parts  above  marsh  level.  Maximum  liigli  water  in  the 
Brookline  Reservoir  is  124.6  feet  above  marsh  level.  By  deducting  the  heights  in  the  City  Reservoirs  from  the 
heights  ill  the  Brookline  Reservoir,  in  each  month,  we  find  the  LO.tSS  OF  head  in  the  different  sections  of  the  city 
at  that  time. 

*  East  Boston  Reservoir  was  shut  off  for  repairs  twenty-seven  days  in  September,  the  month  of  October,  and 
three  days  in  November,  1866.    Its  average  height  is  for  nine  months  only. 


1867.] 


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289 


Table  No.  11. 
Statement  of  Number  of  Leaks,  1850-1867. 


TEAK. 


1850 
1851 

1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867. 


DIAMETER  OF  PIPE. 


Four  inches 
and  up- 
wards. 


32 

64 

82 

85 

74 

75 

75 

85 

77 

82 

134 

109 

117 

97 

95 

111 

139 

69 


Less  than 
four  inches. 


72 
173 
241 
260 
280 
219 
232 
278 
324 
449 
458 
399 
373 
397 
394 
496 
536 
209 


Total. 


104 
237 
323 
345 
354 
294 
307 
363 
401 
531 
592 
508 
490 
494 
489 
607 
675 
278 


These  leaks  occur  from  various  causes,  but  can  be  classified  as  follows ; 
One-quarter  are  caused  by  the  settling  of  the  earth. 
"    eighth    "        "       "    defective  joints. 
"        "         "        "       "    the  frost. 
"    tenth      *'        "       "    defective  pipe. 
"        "         "       ''       "  "    connections. 

"       "         "       "       "    accidents. 
"    fifth  by  various  causes. 
87 


290 


[1868. 


Table  No.  12. 

Statement  showing  the  number  and  hind  of  Water  Fixtures  contained  within  the 
premises  of  Water-takers  in  the  City  of  Boston,  to  January  1,  1868,  as  com- 
pared with  previous  years. 


1865. 

1866. 

1868. 

REMARKS. 

4,797 

4,774 

5,074 

Taps.    These  have  no  connection  with  any  drain 
sewer. 

or 

40,184 

40,496 

42,099 

Sinks. 

16,767 

17,204 

18,910 

Wash-hand  basins. 

6,475 

5,499 

5,929 

Bathing  tubs. 

C,752 

7,398 

7,789 

Pan  water-closets. 

7,317 

7,563 

8,394 

Hopper  water-closets. 

181 

312 

246 

"            "          "         pull. 

315 

239 

297 

"           "          "         self-acting. 

- 

213 

226 

357 

"           "          "         waste. 

498 

536 

571 

"           "          "         door. 

1,741 

1,790 

1,968 

Urinals. 

6,087 

6,365 

6,806 

Wash-tubs.     These  are    permanently  attached   to 
building. 

the 

737 

756 

759 

Shower-baths. 

13 

13 

14 

Hydraulic  rams. 

715 

773 

711 

Private  hydrants. 

334 

350 

388 

Slop-hoppers. 

28 

33 

46 
11 

Foot-baths. 
Public  urinals. 

92,154 

93,327 

100,362 

1868.] 


291 


Table  No.  13. 

TOTAL  NUMBER  OF  FIRE  HYDRANTS   ESTABLISHED  UP  TO 

JANUARY  1st,  1868. 

In  Boston  Proper 1,028 

"  South  Boston 337 

"  East         " 196 

"  Brookline        ...........  3 

"  Roxbury ,  16 

"  Charlestown 11 

"  Chelsea 8 


Total, 


1,599 


Table  No.  14. 

Statement  showing  the  Number  of  Houses,  Stores,  Steam  engines,  etc.,  in  the 
City  of  Boston,  supplied  with  Cochituate  water  to  the  1st  of  January,  1868,  with 
the  Amount  of  Water-rates  paid  for  1867. 


19,854  Dwelling-houses, 

$252,776  41 

1,047 

Stables, 

7,898  23 

7  Boarding      " 

253 

25 

12 

Factories, 

391  00 

78  Model           " 

2,061 

25 

7  Bleacheries, 

114  50 

4  Lodging        " 

82 

GO 

72 

Bakeries, 

560  50 

8  Hotels, 

480 

00 

5 

Ship-yards, 

70  00 

4,395  Stores  and  shops. 

41,106 

57 

3 

Dry  docks  and  en- 

172 Buildings, 

5,942 

39 

gines. 

64  00 

394  Offices, 

3,079 

88 

59 

Shops  and  engines. 

3,639  89 

35  Printing-offices, 

478 

75 

20 

Stores         " 

1,378  22 

19  Banks, 

248 

50 

5 

Foundries  " 

200  94 

18  Halls, 

258 

00 

5 

Factories    " 

260  42 

1  Theatre, 

9 

75 

5 

Printing     " 

200  76 

28  Private  schools, 

243 

75 

1 

Bakery       " 

33  00 

15  Asylums, 

772 

25 

1 

Ship-yard  " 

34  00 

4  Greenhouses, 

38 

00 

3 

Buildings  " 

528  31 

63  Churches, 

699 

50 

1 

Pottery  and  engine, 

35  00 

3  Markets, 

697 

60 

2 

Mills  and  engine. 

222  91 

119  Cellars, 

773 

75 

44 

Stationary  engines. 

1,520  18 

286  Restaurants    and 

4 

Armories, 

53  50 

saloons. 

3,926 

97 

2 

Gymnasiums, 

41  50 

4  Club-houses, 

102 

00 

510 

Hand-hose, 

2,865  00 

1  Bath-house, 

55 

00 

13 

Fountains, 

103  00 

40  Photographers, 

1,115 

50 

Gas     Light   Co., 

10  Packing-houses, 

339 

00 

(filling  tank) 

434  41 

292 


[1868. 


Mill-dam  Co., 
Custom  House, 
54  Steamboats, 

Office        (Harbor 

Master), 
Office  (City  Scales), 
Court  House, 
Probate  Building, 
House  of  reception, 
5  Fire-alarm  motors, 
22  Fire-engines,  hose 
and   hook    and 
ladder  houses, 
280  Public  schools, 
2  City  stables, 
Offal  station, 
Steamer   "Henry 

Morrison," 
House  of  Correc- 
tion, 


266  75 

150  00 

10,300  09 

6  GO 

9  00 

262  50 

47  50 

10  00 

50  00 


553  50 

1,970  00 

200  75 

150  00 

192  56 

462  GO 


N.  B.    Received  during  the  year  for  water  used  in  previous  year, 


Public  Library, 

50  00 

Faneuil  Hall, 

40  00 

Shop  (paving  de- 

partment). 

9  00 

Common  sewer  de- 

partment (mak- 

ing mortar)  and 

locker. 

56.00 

Public  urinals. 

145  00 

Street  sprinkling. 

400  00 

J.  F.  Paul,   (con- 

tract pipe). 

40  08 

Building  purposes. 

2,263  94 

Contractors      for 

supplying  ship- 

ping, 

1,889  53 

Measured  water. 

123,025  51 

$478,739  95 

in  previous  year. 

$43,393  73 

1867.] 


293 


Table  No.  15. 

Statement  of  the  amount  of  Water  consumed  for  each  hour  on  certain  days  in 
1865,  hy  actual  measurement. 


12  M.  to  1  P.M. 

1  P.M.  to  2  P.M. 

2  P.M.  to  3  P.M. 

3  P.M.  to  4  P.M. 

4  P.M.  to  5  P.M. 

5  P.M.  to  6  P.M. 

6  P.M.  to  7  P.M. 

7  P.M.  to  8  P.M 

8  P.M.  to  9  P.M. 

9  P.M.  to  10  P.M. 

10  P.M.  to  11  P.M 

11  P.M.  to  12  M. 
2  M.  to  1  A.M. 

1  A.M.  to  2  a.m. 

2  A.M.  to  3  a.m. 

3  A.M.  to  4  a.m. 

4  A.M.  to  5  A.M. 
6  A.M.  to  6  A.M. 

6  A.M.  to  7  A.M. 

7  A.M.  to  8  a.m. 

8  A.M.  to  9  A.M. 

9  A.M.  to  10  A.M, 
lOA.MtollA.M, 
11  A.M.  to  12  M. 

12  M.  to  1  P.M. 


Sunday  & 
Monday, 
Feb.  VI  & 


Gallons. 


630,562 
384,214 
621,352 
543,652 
470,504 
320,757 
630,783 
311,950 
465,650 
624,006 
775,896 
618,348 
4,248 
8,496 
466,672 
540,948 
399,988 
637,674 
675,837 
677,890 
669,358 
673,549 
502,679 
483,340 

12,148,353 


Tuesday  & 
■W'edn'dav, 
Feb.  21  & 


3,140,700 


1.459,530 


1,458,020 


2,720,700 


8,778,950 


Monday  & 
Tuesday, 
Apr.  24  & 


Gallons. 
467,931 

489,250 

455,679 

610,430 

314,250 

314,250 

295,677 

304,250 

204,713 

153,033 

227,149 

231,564 

154,375 

227,211 

231,375 

154,250 

158,539 

396,030 

547,760 

473,430 

716,374 

478,162 

390,253 

246,750 


8,342,686 


Sat'day  & 
Sunday, 
Apr.  29  & 


Gallons. 
782,320 

320,443 

320,677 

161,408 

308,533 

458,500 

475,597 

300,187 

300,183 

297,790 

141,396 

72,841 

69,981 


134,833 
303,963 
327,418 
171,144 
320,856 
327,277 
781,975 
320,972 
170,874 
480,635 


Tuesday  & 

Wedn'day. 

May  9  and 

10. 


Gallons. 
492,090 

636,126 

632,781 

460,656 

293,532 

490,573 

613,221 

308,500 

451,924 

458,094 

299,438 

303,719 

299,436 

453,310 

303,467 

457,091 

311,783 

474,472 

635,408 

665,600 

502,885 

640,778 

485,180 

639,956 


7,339,803 


11,310,022 


Wedn'day 

and  Thur. 

May  17  & 

18. 


Gallons. 
81,129 

622,835 

620,265 

697,140 

312,016 

773,139 

538,562 

537,063 

221,657 

292,323 

222,304 

365,657 

217,071 

517,164 

365,643 

221,033 

301,828 

539,948 

480,504 

486,898 

733,525 

632,473 

489,908 

646,970 


10,817,055 


Thursday 
&  Friday, 
May  25  & 


Gallons. 
623,750 

622,250 

622,125 

621,750 

617,216 

465,875 

616,715 

383,277 

538,652 

414,644 

468,426 

407,588 

225,695 

382,586 

382,588 

316,163 

475,664 

471,379 

709,143 

722,474 

651,257 

571,538 

564,731 

639,520 


12,515,006 


Friday   & 

Saturday, 

June  2  & 

3. 


Gallons. 
1,226,418 

604,164 

612,456 

605,293 

590,977 

602,401 

549,523 

367,629 

610,445 

454,260 

433,553 

437,091 

284,941 

300,056 

377,367 

222,866 

377,052 

462,438 

573,471 

652,406 

806,009 

487,046 

638,772 

797,799 


13,074,433 


Saturday 


June  10 
U. 


Gallons, 
943,593 

742,031 

481,281 

499,949 

778,029 

470,905 

318,529 

452,816 

458,500 

617,125 

300,191 

452,175 

295,657 

445,247 

295,276 

297,290 

304,017 

472,409 

474,475 

798,848 

639,041 

639,169 

642,297 

476,351 


12,295,202 


294 


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296  [1868. 


Table  No.  17. 

BOSTON  WATER  RATES. 

Section  1.  Every  dwelling-house,  occupied  by  one  family,  $6  ;  by  two  fami- 
lies, 88  ;  by  three  or  more  families,  $10  ;  also  $1  on  every  $1,000  or  fraction  of  a 
thousand  above  $1,000  assessment. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  rates,  there  shall  be  charged  to  each  dwelling- 
house,  in  which  a  water  closet  or  bathing  tub  is  used,  the  sum  of $5 

The  following  rates  for  the  use  of  the  Cochituate  water  in  model  houses, 
so-called,  shall  be  hereafter  charged,  viz  :  for  each  tenement  having  water  fixtures 
within  the  same,  $3  annually ;  and  for  each  tenement  not  having  water  fixtures 
within  the  same,  but  taking  the  water  from  general  fixtures,  used  in  common  with 
other  tenements,  $2  annually.  And  in  addition  to  the  foregoing  rates,  there 
shall  also  be  charged  for  each  such  tenement,  in  which  a  water  closet  or  bathing 
tub  is  used,  $3  annually. 

The  following  rates  for  the  use  of  the  Cochituate  water  in  buildings  used  and 
occupied  for  offices  shall  be  charged,  viz :  for  each  office  having  water  fixtures 
within  the  same,  $5  annually  ;  and  for  each  office  taking  the  water  from  fixtures 
used  in  common  with  other  offices,  $2  annually.  And  in  addition  to  these  rates 
there  shall  be  charged  for  each  pan  or  self-acting  water  closet,  $3,  and  for  each 
hopper  water  closet,  $5  annually. 

Hotels,  taverns  and  hoarding-houses,  (said  boarding-houses  being  valued  for  the 
assessment  of  taxes  over  $15,000,)  not  including  water  for  baths  or  for  uses 
without  the  house,  shall  be  charged  for  each  bed  for  boarders  and  lodgers  within 

the  same •■ ■  •  ■  -$3 

Provided,  that  in  no  case  shall  any  hotel,  tavern  or  boarding-house  be  charged 
less  than  if  a  private  dwelling-house. 

For  each  tenement  occupied  as  a  store,  ivareJiouse,  office,  shop,  or  for  purposes 
not  included  in  any  other  classification,  and  not  requiring  more  than  an  ordinary 

supply  of  water $6  to  $25 

For  each  water  closet,  more  than  one,  supplied  for  the  above,  $5  additional. 
And  for  each  urinal,  wash  hand  basin  or  sink,  more  than  one,  $2.50  addi- 
tional. 

Private  stables,  including  water  for  washing  carriages $6 

And  for  each  horse  over  two $2 

Livery  stables,  including  water  for  washing  carriages,  for  each  horse $2 

Omnibus  stables,  for  each  horse $1.50 

Truckmen's  stables,  for  each  horse $1.25 

Provided,  that  in  no  case  shall  any  stable  be  charged  less  than  $5. 


1868.]  297 

The  right  to  attach  a  Jiose,  of  not  more  than  five-eighths  of  an  inch  orifice,  for 
washing  windows  or  sprinkling  streets,  in  addition  to  the  charge  for  other  uses 
$0 

Comer  lots $10 

But  no  hose  shall  be  attached  or  used  in  any  stable,  for  washing  horses  or  car- 
riages, or  for  any  other  purpose  whatever,  except  for  extinguishing  fires. 

Refectories,  confectioneries,  eating  houses,  market  and  fish  stalls,  provision  shops, 
refreshment  and  oyster  saloons,  according  to  the  quantity  of  water  used,  from 
$8  to  $50 

Public  baths,  for  each  tub $5 

Every  printing  office,  according  to  the  number  of  presses  used,  not  including 
the  supplying  of  a  steam  engine,  from $6  to  $40 

Stationary  steam  engines,  working  not  over  twelve  hours  a  day,  shall  be 
charged  by  the  horse  power,  as  follows :  for  each  horse  power  up  to  and  not 
exceeding  ten,  the  sum  of  $10  ;  for  each  exceeding  ten  and  not  over  fifteen,  the 
sum  of  $8  ;  for  each  horse  power  over  fifteen,  the  sum  of  $6. 

Every  railroad  corporation,  for  supply  of  locomotive  engines,  according  to  the 
quantity  used,  as  ascertained  by  meters  or  otherwise,  and  also  for  supply  of  pas- 
senger stations. 

Steamboats  shall  be  charged  for  estimated  quantities  of  water  used  for  boiler 
and  domestic  purposes,  at  the  rate  of  6  cents  per  one  hundred  gallons,  provided, 
however,  that  in  cases  where  meters  are  applied,  the  charge  shall  be  at  the  same 
rate  as  for  manufacturing  purposes. 

And  for  the  use  of  hose  for  washing  decks  at  the  following  rates  : 

For  a  one-inch  nozzle , $5.00  per  hour. 

"     five-eighths-inch  nozzle 4.00        " 

Provided,  however,  that  no  water  shall  be  allowed  for  washing  purposes,  except 
by  special  permission  from  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  under  a  penalty  of  $10. 

For  building  purposes,  for  each  cask  of  lime  or  cement,  7  cents. 

Fountains  are  only  to  be  supplied  with  water  at  the  discretion  of  the  Cochitu- 
ate Water  Board ;  and  shall  be  charged  upon  the  estimated  quantity  used  each 
day,  for  each  one  hundred  gallons  daily  consumption $5 

Bakeries.  For  the  average  daily  use  of  flour,  for  each  barrel,  the  sum  of  $3 
per  annum ;  provided,  that  in  no  case  shall  any  bakery  be  charged  less  than  $6. 

Manufacturers  and  other  parties  supplied  with  water  through  meters,  or  by 
estimated  quantity,  shall  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  3  cents  per  one  hundred 
gallons. 

When  water  is  required  for  purposes  ivhich  are  not  specified  in  the  foregoing 
tarifi",  the  rate  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Cochituate  Water  Board. 

Sect.  19.  Whenever  two  or  more  dwelling-houses,  or  other  estates,  are  valued 
together,  for  the  assessment  of  taxes,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Water  Regis- 
38 


298  [1868. 

trar,  under  the  direction  of  the  Cochituate  Water  Board,  to  make  a  separate  val- 
uation of  the  same  ;  and  whenever  a  portion  only  of  any  estate  is  justly  charge- 
able for  any  water  rate,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Water  Registrar  to  make  a 
proper  valuation  of  the  said  portion ;  and  the  water  rates  hereinbefore  provided 
shall  apply  to  such  valuations  respectively. 

Sect.  20.  The  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall  have  power  to  ascertain,  hy 
meters,  the  quantity  of  water  used  in  any  case ;  and  the  proprietors  or  persons 
having  charge  of  the  hotels,  taverns,  and  hoarding  houses,  mentioned  in  the  fourth 
section  of  this  ordinance,  shall  also  have  power  to  place  within  their  premises,  at 
their  own  expense,  a  sufficient  ivater  meter,  to  be  approved  by  the  Water  Regis- 
trar, for  the  purpose  of  measuring  the  quantity  of  water  by  them  respectively 
used.  And  when  in  any  case  the  quantity  used  shall  be  ascertained  and  mea- 
sured in  manner  before  mentioned,  the  Cochituate  Water  Board  may  establish  a 
water  rate  therefor,  instead  of  the  specific  rate  hereinbefore  established.  Pro- 
vided, however,  that  the  said  rates  shall  in  no  case  be  less  than  that  hereinbefore 
directed  to  be  charged  to  brewers,  distillers,  and  other  business  requiring  a  large 
supply,  for  uses  not  specified  under  specific  regulations. 

Sect.  21.  The  Cochituate  Water  Board  shall  have  power  to  establish  such 
regulations  as  they  may  deem  expedient  for  the  construction  of  water  closets  here- 
after ;  and  the  water  shall  not  be  supplied  to  any  building,  unless  the  said  water 
closets  shall  be  made  conformable  to  the  said  regulations. 

Sect.  22.  No  charge  shall  be  made  for  the  right  to  insert  a  pipe  of  not  more 
than  one  inch  in  diameter,  at  the  expense  of  the  water  taker,  and  to  be  used  only 
in  case  of  fire. 

Sect.  23.  All  ordinances  and  parts  of  ordinances  inconsistent  with  this  are 
hereby  repealed. 

Sect.  24.  This  ordinance  shall  take  effect  on  and  after  the  first  day  of  January, 
in  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty. 


299 


[1848-68. 


Table  No.  18. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  Yeablt  Revenue  received  from  the  sale  of 
Cochituate  water  since  its  introduction  into  the  City,  October  25th,  1848  : 


Received  by  Water  Commissioners,  as  per  Auditor's 

Report,  in  1848 

From  January  1,  1849,  to  January  1,  1850     . 


1850, 

1851 

1851, 

1852 

1852, 

1853 

1853, 

1854 

1854, 

1855 

1855, 

1856 

1856, 

1857 

1857, 

1858 

1858, 

1859 

1859, 

1860 

1860, 

1861 

1861, 

1862 

1862, 

1863 

1863, 

1864 

1864, 

1865 

1865, 

1866 

1866, 

1867 

1867, 

1868 

$972  81 
71,657  79 
99,025  45 
161,052  85 
179,567  39 
196,352  32 
217,007  51 
266,302  77 
282,651  84 
289,328  83 
302,409  73 
314,808  97 
334,544  86 
365,323  96 
373,922  33 
394,506  25 
430,710  76 
450,341  48 
486,538  25 
522,133  68 


),739,159  83 


niv^ 


l,f&,CpLLEGE 


.pISWs 


ClRCUUTE 


TD 
225 
.B7 
B81 


BRADLEE. 


Bapst  Library 

Boston  College 
Chestnut  Hill,  Mass.  02167 


